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When would they meet again ? — Page 35. 






I 

SIGNAL CODE 


4><?6 






BY 


W^" EEIFF HESSER 




ILLUSTRATED BY FRANK T. MERRILL 




BOSTON 

LEE AND SHEPAED 
1903 


Published August, 1903 


THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS. 

Two Copies ReceiveO 


AMr, 1 *903 

Copyright Entry 
CLASS^ IK. yoic. No. 

lo 0 1 U 0 

COPY B. 



Copyright, 1903, by Lee and Shepard 


All rights reserved 


Joe’s Signal Code 

/ 


TO 

‘MY BOYS” IN THREE STATES, 

NOW GROWN TO BE MEN, 

WHO ARE AN HONOR TO THE LAND IN WHICH 


THEY DWELL 





CONTENTS 


CHAPTER page 

I. The Passengers on the “ Katharine,” . . i 

II. Crossing the Equator, 8 

III. A Signal of Distress, 13 

IV. The Littell Family, 18 

V. “ Man Overboard,” and a Rescue, . . 24 

VI. How the Signal Code Was Made, . . 29 

VII. A New Number on the Code, ... 36 

VIII. Anxious Hours on Board the “America,” . 40 

IX. Left on a Burning Ship, 45 

X. A Miraculous Escape, 65 

XI. A Safe Harbor in an Unknown Island, . 68 

XII. Discovering Natural Treasure, ... 76 

XIII. Taking Possession in the Name of the United 

States 91 

XIV. Beacons and Buoys, 104 

XV. Further Explorations, 112 

XVI. Mr. Purdy Distills Naphtha, . . . 120 

XVII. The Signal Balloons, 126 

XVIII. A Perilous Excursion, 142 

XIX. Report of the “ Committee on Programme,” 156 

XX. A Mysterious Column of Smoke, . . .172 

XXI. Joe’s Electrical Company, .... 187 

XXII. The Launching of the “ Rescue,” . . 202 

vii 


CONTENTS 


Vlll 


CHAPTER 


page 

XXIII. 

The Searchlight, .... 

. . 221 

XXIV. 

Preparing for Pirates, . 

. 240 

XXV. 

A Battle and an Escape, 

. 254 

XXVI. 

The Monkeys and the Dynamo, 

. 269 

XXVII. 

A Most Welcome Signaling, . 

. 279 

XXVIII. 

Searching for News, 

. 305 

XXIX. 

A Bureau of Information, 

. . 316 

XXX. 

Hope at Last, 

. 321 

XXXI. 

The Party on the “ America," 

. 327 

XXXII. 

Captain Jones Has Suspicions, 

. 332 

XXXIII. 

“ Is THAT THE ‘ KATHARINE * ? " 

. 337 

XXXIV. 

The Battle with the Pirates, 

. 344 

XXXV. 

The “Katharine" Leaves Hudson Island, . 364 

XXXVI. 

The Islanders Reunited, 

. 372 


ILLUSTEATIOlSrS 

Pagb 

When would they meet again ? . (^Frontupiece) 35 

The new number on the code 38 

Hudson Island 96 

They wondered what kind of people once 

thronged these courts 198 

They saw a slight puff of smoke arise . . 257 • 

<< This is the Katherine 298 


4 


JOE’S SIGNAL CODE 

CHAPTER I 

THE PASSENGERS ON THE KATHARINE '''' 

The shrill whistle of the second mate sounded 
Hoist away ; then the noisy engine swung up an- 
other load of iron pipe and lowered it with a rush 
into the hold of the stanch ship Katharine, lying 
in her dock in New York harbor. The men had 
been working all night, and now, on this beautiful 
morning of October loth, the ship was almost fin- 
ished. There had been a freight wreck on the Jer- 
sey Meadows and that further delayed a shipment of 
pipe that should have been received two days before. 
This last lot would be aboard by seven o’clock, and 
at ten promptly the good ship was to bid farewell 
to America for a long trip to the East Indies by 
way of the Cape of Good Hope. There was lying 
alongside a beautiful steel naphtha launch about 
twenty feet in length, fitted to stand a fairly rough 
sea. Two men were busily engaged in detaching the 


2 


joe's signal code 


engine and other parts from the little craft, pre- 
paratory to being taken aboard. This was the last 
piece of cargo; the shipping party having sent the 
boat down from Newburgh the afternoon before. 
The cradle for the trim little hull was set up and 
ready to receive it. Scarcely had it been hoisted in 
and stowed away than a cab drove down the wharf 
to the ship’s side. There alighted a handsome, well- 
built young man, followed by a boy about the age 
of fifteen; the latter dressed in a dark blue sailor 
suit. The lad immediately ran up the broad gang- 
plank and disappeared on deck, while his compan- 
ion remained with his several pieces of light bag- 
gage. 

Shortly there was a hail of welcome from the deck 
as the first mate, Mr. Harry Henderson, received 
his passengers on board. The newcomers were not 
strangers. The elder of the two, Frank Miller, was 
a nephew of Captain Henderson, the principal 
owner of the Red Cross Line; Harry, the first mate, 
and Joe, the boy who had just arrived, were sons of 
Captain Henderson and they comprised all of the 
Captain’s family, their mother having died when 
Joe was a baby. 

Joe was first in the cabin, into which their bag- 
gage had been brought, and was already putting 


THE PASSENGERS ON THE "" KATHARINE 3 

things to rights under Harry’s directions; their heavy 
luggage having been sent aboard the day before, 
so that now they were ready to sail. The ship was 
commanded by Captain John Duncan, who, with 
another passenger, Mr. Robert Purdy, was to join 
the vessel as it passed the Battery; they having mat- 
ters to arrange at Captain Henderson’s Wall Street 
office before sailing. At just ten o’clock an impor- 
tant looking tugboat took hold of the stern hawser 
and slowly pulled the magnificent ship out into the 
stream, and then, fastening alongside, commenced 
the trip down the majestic river. 

There they come! ” shouted Joe, as a tug put out 
from the landing stairs at the Battery. When it 
arrived there came aboard Captain Duncan, the mas- 
ter of the Katharine, a hearty, bluff seaman of about 
fifty-five, followed by Mr. Robert Purdy, of the 
General Electric Company of Poughkeepsie, New 
York, and lastly Captain Henderson, who had re- 
mained a moment to give some final directions to 
the tug that brought them. 

Well, my boys ! I must say good-by,” said 
Captain Henderson, in the cabin, when they had left 
the city about six miles back of them. I have no 
fears for the voyage. The Katharine is stanch 
and well manned. I will leave you in God’s care.” 


4 


joe's signal code 


Then affectionately kissing them farewell, he as^ 
cended to the deck, where he bid good-by to Captain 
Duncan, Mr. Purdy, and the crew, who gave him a 
ringing cheer as the tug cast loose. 

Joe stood on the stern deck and silently gazed at 
the little craft until it was lost to view and then the 
dear fellow hid his face in his hands and wept. It 
was his first separation from that loving father. 

The party who sailed on the Katharine was a 
happy one. Frank Miller was really raised in the 
Henderson family, having been left an orphan at an 
early age. His father had been well-to-do, and 
now, after learning the marine machine trade thor- 
oughly, he at last bid good-by to the shops of Mor- 
ton & Co., and determined to see the world; and as 
this was to be Harry’s last trip, he gladly accepted 
the often extended invitation to make a trip to the 
East Indies, but which he was hitherto unable to 
accept. Joe was to go along, of course, as he had 
now finished a good course of schooling at private 
institutions, and was in somewhat delicate health. 
A medical friend told his father it would be just the 
thing for the boy, and that settled it. After they 
arrived at Hong Kong, Harry was to take charge 
of that office for a few years and then return to New 
York to succeed his father, who wished to retire 


THE PASSENGERS ON THE " KATHARINE 5 

from active work. Frank and Joe were to return 
via San Francisco in about a year. 

It was a pleasant company, and the genial Purdy 
added one more to it. He was going with a lot of 
electrical machinery, some of which was consigned 
to the South African Electric Co., at Cape Town. 
Of this he was simply to supervise the unloading and 
delivery and then proceed with the Katharine to 
Manila and Hong Kong with another larger lot of 
the same freight, and was to remain in China for 
some years. 

At just three o'clock that glorious afternoon, the 
Katharine discharged her pilot and under a fair 
spread of sail was on her way to the Canary Islands, 
at which point the first stop was to be made. Al- 
though the weather was fine, there was a swell run- 
ning for the first few days that kept our passengers 
below most of the time with sea-sickness with the 
exception of Joe, who was up and almost as happy 
as a lark after the first day. As the voyage pro- 
gressed he gradually learned the ropes in his quick, 
boylike way, so that by the time the Peak of Tene- 
riffe was sighted, he was a pretty fair apprentice. 
At first Harry would not permit him to go aloft, but 
Joe soon showed such aptitude that there were 
no further restrictions placed upon him. Frank had 


6 


joe's signal code 


brought with him his two favorite guns, a 43-caliber 
Winchester rifle, and a fine breech-loading shotgun, 
with plenty of ammunition for each. He was an 
excellent shot; this being about the only sport in 
which he indulged. He had numerous opportunities 
at sharks, many of which he killed by catching them 
in the eye, much to the delight of the crew who had 
never seen such skill before. 

Sometimes Mr. Purdy and Frank engaged in 
chess playing, to while away the time; again. Cap- 
tain Duncan would entertain them with stories of 
the sea. In this way time passed pleasantly; nor 
were their amusements solely confined to the cabi 
for Mr. Purdy was a fine performer on the mandolin 
and also a good amateur magician. Many a won- 
derful feat he performed for the crew, who voted 
their passengers the best that had ever sailed with 
them. 

So the days came and went, as they made the 
lonely stretch of sea between New York and the 
Canaries. Beyond discharging a small portion of 
their cargo and obtaining some fresh provisions, 
there was little else to do, so that in a few days the 
grand old Peak of Teneriffe was gradually being 
left behind them as they headed for the Equator, 
which was now the next object of interest to our 


THE PASSENGERS ON THE " KATHARINE '•' / 

travelers, that is, if an imaginary line could be 
classed as an object. Harry called Joe’s attention 
to the Polar Star; telling him to notice the differ- 
ence in position above the horizon as they gradually 
drew to the South. Joe saw, with feelings not un- 
mixed with awe, that their faithful guide of the 
Northern Hemisphere was slowly but surely getting 
closer to the ocean as they were approaching the 
line, and at this rate would soon disappear be- 
neath the shining, watery horizon. Harry ex- 
plained to him that the rotundity of the earth was 
responsible for this. 

fi “ It would never change if the earth were flat, 
as the ancients supposed it to be,” said he. 

But what shall we have in its place when we 
once cross the Equator? ” asked Joe. 

The Southern Cross will take its place there,” 
said Captain Duncan, who was sitting with the 
party that evening as they were slowly passing 
through the Doldrums. ‘‘ It’s lucky for us that we 
don’t have to lie here and look at our northern 
friend for a week, as often happens in these lati- 
tudes, for this is the region of calms.” 


CHAPTER II 


CROSSING THE EQUATOR 

The Katharine made a fair run through the 
tropics. There had been a few blows, but as yet 
nothing of note occurred. The weather had been 
intensely hot during the trip across the line, and 
was still very warm. They were now about the 
tenth parallel south of the Equator, with about 
twelve hundred miles more to the Cape of Good 
Hope. Joe had grown quite brown from exposure, 
looking strong and healthy. He had become a 
favorite with the crew, among which there were 
men who had sailed under his father, for the Red 
Cross Line treated its sailors so' well that they rarely 
left its service for another berth. 

As they approached the Cape he realized the sen- 
sations of sailing out of fall season in the Northern 
Zones , into the spring of the Southern world. It 
was the first winter that he had ever missed. 

One evening, when still about a thousand miles 
from port, the party were all seated on deck to en- 
8 


CROSSING THE EQUATOR 


9 


joy what cool air might be stirring. Mr. Purdy 
was playing on the mandolin, '' to keep the rust off 
the strings,'’ he said; Frank and Joe were telling 
Harry and Captain Duncan of the many wonderful 
things they had seen at the World’s Fair at Chicago, 
where they spent a month; Joe having been much 
impressed with the great electric display, and par- 
ticularly with the electric fountain, and the great 
search-light on the Manufacturers’ Building. 

They handled it as easily as a toy and seemed 
to throw signals on the clouds,” said Joe. ‘‘ Why 
couldn’t ships do the same to speak to each other 
at sea ? ” 

They could,” said Mr. Purdy, “ and the time 
is not far distant when they will do it. Our Navy 
now has an incandescent light system by which they 
can communicate, but the method will be simplified; 
a regular telegraph code will be used, making it 
more comprehensive than now. For instance, you 
see that star back there in the west, just on the 
edge of the water? If we could imagine that was 
a small arc lamp or a strong incandescent light that 
could be shut off rapidly by quick working shutters, 
we could read the flashes, with some practice.” 

Captain Duncan turned and looked at the star and, 
quickly rising to his feet, said; 


10 joe's signal code 

That is a light; it’s a steamer going in our direc- 
tion.” 

At this moment the lookout also called the sail. 
All other conversation ceased, as they stood looking 
at the steady white light that had now just appeared 
above the horizon. The stranger was fully twelve 
miles astern. Assuming that she was going at the 
rate of ten knots an hour, it would be some hours 
before it caught up to them. They watched it in- 
tently for awhile and saw that it was gaining 
slightly, when suddenly there was a flash of light 
from the water’s edge that caught and illuminated 
some low-lying clouds. 

A search-light ! ” exclaimed Harry. She is 
either a war vessel or a private yacht. If that’s 
the case, they will probably overhaul us by mid- 
night.” 

When it passed shortly after midnight, signals 
were exchanged showing it to be the America, a 
full-rigged steam yacht from New York, bound for 
Cape Town; fifteen days out from Rio Janeiro. 
Like a phantom it silently passed on into the dark- 
ness under light steam; the electric light on the 
foremast gradually growing less in size as the dis- 
tance increased. An hour later Frank stood alone 
looking at it as she was forging ahead, his thoughts 


CROSSING THE EQUATOR 


II 


running in strange channels. A feeling of utter 
loneliness came over him. 

“ Like that fast disappearing v^anderer of the 
sea/' he thought, “ we come and go and are seen 
no more, — but there is no port for me. Others be- 
lieve it and take comfort from it, but it is not re- 
vealed to me." 

Thus he pondered and, as it were, strove with 
himself; for be it known that, while Frank Miller 
was a gentleman of the highest type and possessed 
of all the qualifications of a Christian, according to 
the moral law; he was indifferent to the one thing 
needful, yet with all reverence for things sacred, and 
respect for human belief. 

“ There is simply a natural law," said he, men- 
tally, “ and it governs all things." 

Gazing into the heavens, he caught sight of that 
glory of the Equatorial skies, the Southern Cross. 

'‘Who placed them there?" whispered his soul. 
" Who directs their course from time unknown into 
the endless ages ? Who is the Author of all the ce- 
lestial maze that gives man his first ideas of mathe- 
matical precision? There must be an Author and 
Designer just as there was for the swift-flying ma- 
chinery that is throbbing in the heart of that ship 
of the distant light now so far away." 


12 joe's signal code 

Then he murmured : “ There is a God ! I feel it 
now; I know it, and I am His child! " 

There was no mere lip service in the prayer that 
ascended to the Throne from the bosom of the broad 
Atlantic that midnight hour. The eyes that were 
blind, and the ears that heard not; saw and heard 


now. 


CHAPTER III 


A SIGNAL OF DISTRESS 

JOE was on deck early the next morning, notwith- 
standing his late hours the night previous. It was, 
however, because a sail had been sighted about eight 
miles ahead and he was anxious to see the stranger. 
It proved to be the yacht that passed them during 
the night. 

“ She is lying to, for some reason,’’ said Captain 
Duncan. '' She has met with some accident prob- 
ably.” 

There were various speculations as to the yacht 
during breakfast, which was eaten in shorter time 
than usual. When they reached deck again the 
stranger was not more than a mile distant with a 
signal flying, indicating that she wished to speak 
the Katharine, 

As they approached, a steam launch put out on the 
smooth sea and headed for the coming ship which 
was now less than a mile away. It was evident that 
they had some important communication to make. 
13 


14 


joe's signal code 


In a few minutes the launch was alongside and a 
man in blue uniform came over the rail, introduc- 
ing himself as Mr. Harris, first mate of the steam 
yacht America, from New York, bound for the 
,Cape, making a tour of the world. 

He said that about four o’clock that morning the 
main steam pipe from the boilers, leading through 
some of the men’s quarters, had burst and severely 
scalded the first and second engineers and several 
of the sailors sO' badly that at first it was thought 
some were beyond recovery. In fact, it laid up more 
than half of the men with burns and scalds of more 
or less severity. They unfortunately had no extra 
steam pipe on hand; through some oversight, and 
wanted to know whether the Katharine had any in 
her cargo. 

“ What size is it ? ” asked Captain Duncan. 

“ Eight inches, and is hung in ten feet lengths.” 

Have you a pipe cutting machine ? ” asked 
Frank, as Harry went below to examine the mani- 
fests of cargo. 

I believe they have,” answered the mate. I 
don’t know much about the machinery, but am 
almost certain they cut some of the large pipe while 
we were on our last summer’s cruise.” 

In a short time Harry reported that there was a 


A SIGNAL OF DISTRESS 


15 


large lot of the requisite size in the cargo. He also 
thought it was among the very last stowed away, 
and might be easily gotten at. The forward hatch 
was removed and Frank, with foot rule in hand, 
descended. 

In a few moments he called out that there was 
plenty of it, and right on top, too, but all in twelve 
foot lengths. In order to use it the pipe must be 
cut off and then threaded to enter the flange. 

At the request of Captain Duncan, Harry, with 
Frank and Mr. Purdy, were taken to the yacht 
to see what was really required, as they were fa- 
miliar with steam machinery. This was speedily 
done. They returned in a short time, after having 
ascertained the extent of the accident, and what 
the requirements were. 

They need two lengths of the pipe only,” said 
Frank. ‘‘ They have all necessary fittings and tools 
to make the repairs, but the worst feature is, that 
they have no one to handle the engines, which, by 
the way, I erected myself, some years ago, the yacht 
not being named at that time. They have an intel- 
ligent first fireman, who might do for a while, but 
he cannot attend to it single handed. In fact they 
must have immediate assistance, as they seem to be 
very short handed both for steam and sail.” 


1 6 joe's signal code 

And what’s still worse,” said Captain Duncan, 
^^one of the Flying Dutchman’s storms is coming 
on. The barometer has fallen steadily since mid- 
night, and is still falling rapidly. Are there any 
passengers on the yacht? ” 

“Yes!” said Frank, “they told me the owner 
and his wife, daughter, and another lady, were 
aboard. I didn’t see them; they are so busy with 
the care of the poor fellows that they didn’t come 
out of the cabins which they have turned into a 
hospital. The ladies are acting as nurses, under the 
direction of the doctor, who told me some of the 
men would be disabled for a month, and the worst to 
all, the two engineers. I can see only one thing to 
be done, and that is for Mr. Purdy and myself to go 
on board and make the repairs, which I think can be 
done in six hours, as they have splendid appliances, 
and then we can run the engines until she gets to 
the Cape, which is now about three days’ sail away 
for the Katharine, unless she is detained by the 
coming storm ” 

“ Which is not far off ! ” said Harry, “ and you 
must make haste if Captain Duncan agrees to it.” 

There was no trouble on that score, so hastily get- 
ting ready a few necessary articles, the pipe having 
been hoisted out, Mr. Purdy climbed over the rail. 


A SIGNAL OF DISTRESS 


17 


followed by Frank, who affectionately kissed Joe 
and shook hands with Captain Duncan and Harry, 
who whispered, Don’t lose a minute; it is going 
to be a hard blow.” 

The Katharine was soon under way again. When 
Frank sprang on the yacht’s deck, he looked around 
once more to the fast receding ship that had been 
such a pleasant home for the past few weeks. 
From the stern he saw a light figure waving a last 
good-by. It was Joe. 


f 


CHAPTER IV 


THE LITTELL FAMILY 

Captain Jones, of the yacht America, w2iS greatly 
relieved when he found that our two voyagers had 
volunteered their services for the relief of his ship. 
They went to work at once to get out the damaged 
pipe; while this was being done, Frank had the new 
pieces brought in and, after carefully measuring 
them, they were placed in the cutting machine run 
by the small auxiliary engine, and cut to the desired 
length, then threaded to receive the flange. All this 
took a few hours. While it was being done the old 
pipe was cleared out so' that the new could be 
hoisted with chain blocks to its position. The gas- 
kets were put in readiness by Mr. Purdy, who, in 
addition to being an expert electrician, was also able 
to work in emergencies where machinery was dis- 
abled. Then they pulled up the new pipe with the 
aid of the firemen. 

Twice within the last hour Captain Jones had 
called Frank aside and spoken to him in a low tone 

i8 


THE LITTELL FAMILY 


19 


in regard to the approaching storm. It would be 
upon them in an hour; while they were doing 
all they could to meet it without steam, he wanted 
the latter if possible. The pipe was up and in 
position for accurate fitting; the banked fires 
had been started up some time previously, and 
steam was rapidly rising and now the last thing 
was to be done. If the vessel remained ordinarily 
quiet, it could be done in time. The atmosphere 
under the impending storm center was almost 
stifling. Not a word was said but tO' ease or tighten 
a little on the chain blocks, when suddenly Captain 
Jones shouted : 

How soon will you be ready ? The squall will 
be on us in three minutes, and everything must be 
closed.” 

“We will need only one ! ” was the reply. “ Quick 
now ! ” on the great wrench another turn, another, 
and yet another. 

“ Turn on steam! ” called Mr. Purdy to the fire- 
man in waiting. 

The bell rang and Frank jumped down as the 
outside doors closed. 

“ Secure the loose work ! ” he cried, as he gradu- 
ally opened the wheel. 

Then engines were already turning slowly when 


20 


joe's signal code 


Go ahead full speed ” was rung. Like a thing 
of life the triple cranks rapidly threw their polished 
sides around and around. Suddenly there was a 
deep thunderous roar as the America raised herself 
to meet that awful storm. Now she slid down a 
watery plane with her propeller trying to race as 
it jumped clear of the sea. Then she trembled and 
shook, yet riding in safety through the storm king’s 
terrible dominion, in, which the Flying Dutchman 
is said by the superstitious sailors to be battling 
to this day as a punishment for his awful and pro- 
fane vow. 

However, Frank, as he held that young giant in 
check, now urging it on, now throttling it, had no 
time to think of that legendary Hollander; he was 
thinking of his friends on the Katharine. How 
were they faring? As for their fighting the storm, 
he feared nothing. The ship was excellently manned 
and officered, yet he found himself silently asking 
for the protecting hand over the storm-tossed ship 
which he had left. 

So the afternoon and night passed. The gallant 
little steamer was equal tO' the conflict which, as yet, 
showed nO' signs of abatement. 

About nine o’clock the next morning Captain 
Jones sent word in to the engine room that the gale 


THE LITTELL FAMILY 


21 


was blowing itself out. There were no signs of the 
Katharine, it being altogether likely that she was 
blown out of her course and might be some time 
getting into port. 

During the afternoon the gale moderated so much 
that the yacht was put under low steam and by night 
there was only a heavy swell running, and that was 
subsiding so rapidly that it was decided to bank the 
fires and run into port under sail, there being men 
enough available for ordinary weather. This gave 
those below deck an opportunity for the rest of 
which they now stood in need. 

The following morning Frank and Purdy were 
invited into the cabin for breakfast when they, for 
the first time, saw the owner, Mr. Littell, and his 
family. Mr. Littell thanked them for their valuable 
and timely assistance, and then presented them to 
his wife, his daughter. Miss Helen, and her friend, 
Miss Williams, who was accompanying the Littells 
on their trip. 

Doctor Peale, who was also one of the party, re- 
ported all the sufferers doing remarkably well; some 
were already able to do light duties, and the two 
engineers who had suffered the most would, in all 
probability, come around in much less time than he 
first supposed, probably in a week or ten days. 


22 


joe's signal code 


The ladies wanted to know all about the Kath- 
arine, and Mr. Purdy gave them a glowing ac- 
count of the ship and her officers, not forgetting 
Joe. 

‘‘ I would give anything to see the dear little fel- 
low," said Miss Helen. “ I know he is just the 
nicest boy in the world; we saw him waving good- 
by as your ship drew away, but we shall see him 
at the Cape.” 

After breakfast the ladies, with Mr. Littell, took 
a look into the engine room and were delighted to 
hear Mr. Purdy tell them that Frank, by a singular 
coincidence, had superintended the erection of the 
yacht's engines, but did not know it until he came 
to see what was required. # 

“ Well, indeed ! I do not know what we should 
have done without them, or rather, someone to 
run them during that awful blow, situated as we 
were; with so many of our crew disabled; we feel 
that we owe so much to you gentlemen,” said Miss 
Helen. 

Mr. Purdy blushed and tried to say it “ was noth- 
ing ” and turned to Frank to help him out, but that 
young man had given the party the slip and was 
engaged with Mr. Littell in a visit to the sick bay, 
where he had a long talk with the first and second 


THE LITTELL FAMILY 23 

engineers, both of whom he had often met before in 
the shops of Morton & Co. 

They were now drawing near to the coast of 
Africa. 

“ By to-morrow morning we shall sight Table 
Mountain, I think,” said Captain Jones, and, sure 
enough, at daybreak that magnificent amphitheater 
formed by mountains on either side of the grand 
old Table Mountain now showed plainly ahead. In 
a few hours the America came to a safe anchorage 
in Table Bay, but the Katharine was not there, al- 
though she was hardly to be expected as yet. But 
her passengers were not entirely free from forebod- 
ings. 


CHAPTER V 


MAN overboard/' AND A RESCUE 

There were in the crew of the Katharine men 
of different nationalities, who, while they were 
classed as Americans, still retained many of their 
ancestral characteristics, all speaking English, of 
course. Among these there was one native-born 
German, whose parents left him an orphan in his 
boyhood, when he emigrated to America. Here he 
soon acquired that singular dialect so freely spoken 
in the Blue Mountain districts of Pennsylvania, 
known as Pennsylvania Dutch. His name on the 
ship’s book was Andrew Speigelmier. The men 
knew him only as “ Andy,” and delighted in getting 
him excited in order to hear him talk Pennsylvania 
Dutch. However, Andy was a good man before the 
mast, having been in service about four years, but 
he could never wholly drop his dialect, which would 
come to the surface when under great excitement. 
Andy had taken a great fancy to Joe, who, be it 
said, was a great favorite with all the crew. Often 


24 


25 


MAN OVERBOARD AND A RESCUE 

during the voyage, when, by reason of fair wind and 
weather, the men had but little to do, they would 
gather on deck and, among other amusements, 
would get Andy to sing, “ Dess isht Mein Schnitzle 
Bunk,’' or some kindred song from his repertoire, 
always eliciting rounds of applause from the crew, 
who thoroughly enjoyed the quaint songs. 

At the time of the accident to the America, just 
as the yacht was being left behind, he remarked to 
Joe, who was gazing over the rail : 

Mister Choe, we get a hart storm by and by; it 
soon blows gore avech ! ” 

Joe, in a general way, comprehended that Andy 
meant there would be a hard storm soon. 

“ Yes, Andy; I wish they hadn’t gone over there,” 
pointing. to the yacht, and then, running to the cabin 
deck, he waved a last farewell to Frank, as he landed 
on the yacht’s deck. Captain Duncan had all pre- 
cautions taken against the coming gale. Every- 
thing was made snug and tight, while Harry 
cautioned Joe to gO' below as soon as the blow 
commenced. It was now well into the afternoon. 
The yacht had been out of sight for some time when 
the storm that was close at hand broke upon the 
gallant ship, making her tremble like a frightened 
thing. The screaming of the gale through the rig- 


26 


joe's signal code 


ging and the terrible seas that rose were a revela- 
tion to Joe, who tried to reach the cabin to escape 
the fury of the wind, when the vessel made a lurch 
that sent him reeling across the deck. At this mo- 
ment a heavy wave came curling inboard, sweeping 
everything loose before it. Joe saw it and in his 
excitement vainly tried to escape by jumping on the 
rail, the very worst thing he could have done, and 
in an instant was overboard, stunned and helpless. 

Man overboard I” Oh ! the terror of it, as the 
awful cry was repeated. The furious winds, the 
angry seas dashing on the ship as if trying to destroy 
it in their mad fury. The crew rushed to the side 
in an instant. There was no order given, — ^men 
trained to such emergencies act at once. Harry 
heard the alarm and made all haste over the slippery, 
slanting decks, arriving just in time to see a man 
half stripped make a leap into a second wave driv- 
ing in, and then, diving through it, appear with a 
slight form in his muscular arms. He almost reeled 
when he saw it was Joe, seemingly lifeless in that 
strong grasp. Another heavy sea was making its 
way toward them, but happily it was not a comber; 
before it reached Andy a line had been thrown him 
and secured as best he could. When the wave 
reached him he had been drawn to the side of the 


2 ; 


MAN OVERBOARD AND A RESCUE 

vessel, and as it rose he came with it; two strong 
men grasped him and in an instant both were on 
board. All this was done in a few seconds, yet it 
seemed an age to that brother who, with an agony 
that did not show itself in the face of danger, quickly 
received Joe and bore him to a place of comparative 
safety, for the storm was now at its height. Joe was 
restored to consciousness and taken below, where 
he soon felt better. Hastily kissing him, then with 
a prayer of gratitude on his lips, Harry made his way 
on deck to find Andy on duty as usual, with noth- 
ing worse to show for his adventure than a bruise 
on his right arm where the life line had cut into the 
skin. There was nothing to be said in that terrible 
din, but Andy caught a look on Harry’s face that 
was gratitude itself. So the storm kept on until 
nightfall, when it seemed to increase in fury. Cap- 
tain Duncan remained on deck, shouting orders 
through his speaking trumpet as emergencies arose. 
Harry had been below for a little while and found 
Joe had been suffering some with sea sickness, but 
he was now in his berth asleep. About midnight, 
Captain Duncan saw that the worst was over and 
went below, leaving Harry in charge, although it 
was still blowing a heavy gale. In the morning 
Harry reported that all was tight and snug, adding 


28 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


that the gale was subsiding. At noon an observa- 
tion was taken, showing that they had been carried 
out of their course fully a day’s sail. 

Captain Duncan thanked Andy in the presence of 
the crew for his brave act, much to his confusion, 
whereupon the crew gave three ringing cheers for 
the Captain and retired with Andy from whom they 
asked a “ speech,” as usual, but Andy simply said : 

“ You see, boys, when I see dar yung ‘ ketzer/ 

craddling on de rail ” 

“ Don’t you mane the fince? ” said a Celtic voice. 
“ Nay, du avicher uchs; I mean shusht wot I say; 

when he craddled up de rail ” 

“ Say, Andy ! what d’ye mean by ‘ craddle ’ ? ” 
What Andy said to this may pass current in some 
districts hidden by the Blue Mountains in Pennsyl- 
vania. It served, however, to raise a hearty laugh, 
as it always did, but the fact was this : these jokers 
well knew that Andy was a hero, but it meant noth- 
ing to him nor them. Any of the others would have 
done the same thing for Joe, who gratefully thanked 
Andy and all of the crew for saving his life. 


CHAPTER VI 


HOW THE SIGNAL CODE WAS MADE 

It was now the second day after the arrival of the 
America at Cape Town. Everyone on the vessel 
was in good spirits; the doctor reported the suf- 
ferers in fine condition, and on the road to a rapid 
recovery. The original intention was to remain here 
about a week, but in the shape matters were, the 
stay would probably be somewhat longer. Other 
vessels arrived but none had seen the Katharine. 
Mr. Littell arranged a trip ashore for the following 
day, in which our two friends were to participate; 
but Frank begged to be excused on the ground that 
he would oversee some repairs in the engine room 
for Mr. Knight, the chief engineer, who was as yet 
not able to move about, so it was planned that Mr. 
Purdy should go. Captain Jones was positive that 
the Katharine would be in that day and Frank 
wanted to welcome her. 

About four in the afternoon there was a sail re- 
ported entering the bay, that was at once recognized 
29 


30 


joe's signal code 


as the expected vessel. Captain Jones had the yacht 
receive the incoming ship in its best style, and sent 
the steam launch with Frank Miller out to meet her. 
Even the small rapid fire guns, of which there were 
two on the America, joined in the salute as the noble 
ship slowly glided by to^ her anchorage. The Kath- 
arine had not suffered any damage beyond the 
smashing of one of her boats. There was an in- 
formal reception on board the yacht that lovely even- 
ing. It was a late hour when the 'launch put off 
from the America, at the close of it, with our friends 
of the Katharine on board. At this reception Cap- 
tain Duncan said, he thought it would be about four 
days before the ship could sail, on account of some 
necessary repairs, and during this time such cargo 
as was destined for the Cape would be discharged 
and again some shipments for the East Indies taken 
aboard. While this was being done there were fre- 
quent visits exchanged between the two vessels; Joe 
becoming a welcome guest on the yacht, where the 
story of his almost miraculous escape had been told. 
Directly Captain Duncan announced that the Kath- 
arine would sail, in about thirty-six hours and, with 
a merry twinkle of his eyes, said that his first mate 
was not needed the day prior to sailing; he was 
therefore excused, if he had any other business on 


HOW THE SIGNAL CODE WAS MADE 


31 


hand. Upon this the ladies on the America ar- 
ranged for a trip out to sea, which now was as 
smooth as a mill pond. They would start at nine 
the following morning, returning during the after- 
noon. This was to be followed by a reception at the 
home of the American Consul that evening, to which 
the officers and passengers of both vessels were 
invited. 

The only guests on the yacht that morning were 
our four friends from the Katharine. Harry and 
Frank were neatly and tastefully dressed, as was Mr. 
Purdy, while Joe looked like a picture in his natty 
sailor suit. The yacht gracefully swung around and 
saluted the Katharine, then glided out toward the 
summer sea. The second engineer could now care 
for the engines for the short trip. 

There was a merry party seated on the deck. 
Music, songs, laughter, many a pleasant story was 
told, and so the time passed until dinner was an- 
nounced, served in royal style in the main cabin. 
Joe was compelled to relate his experience in being 
washed overboard, which he did reluctantly; then 
Mr. Purdy kept the company laughing with his 
clever imitations of droll characters, and so the din- 
ner ended. During the afternoon the yacht was 
headed toward the Bay, the party having thoroughly 


32 


joe's signal code 


enjoyed the trip that would end in another hour. 
Joe, as usual, was interested in the machinery, and 
in course of the afternoon asked Mr. Purdy to ex- 
plain to him how a search-light was operated, which 
Mr. Purdy did. 

Don’t you remember ! ” continued Joe, the 
night we first caught sight of the America, you were 
just engaged in telling me how one ship might speak 
to another by throwing light on the clouds. Why 
can’t we agree on some signals now to say ‘ We need 
help,' ' Hurry,' ' All well,' and so on. Couldn’t they 
use the electric ray itself moving up and down in 
the air?” 

But ! Joe, we haven’t any search lights on the 
Katharine except such as are among our electrical 
goods in the cargo, and more than that, the America 
goes from here to Australia, and then up through 
the Pacific to San Francisco. We shall probably 
never meet her again.” 

‘Wes, I know, but then we might!" said Joe, 
with a boy’s persistence, at which some of the party 
smiled. 

“ Now, Joe! you and I will just make up a small 
code of signals,” said Helen, “ so when either of us 
sees the light in the sky we shall know and come to 
each other, if we are wanted. We will try them 


HOW THE SIGNAL CODE WAS MADE 33 

this evening when we get back from the reception. 
I will have two copies made, one for you and one 
for me, and they will cover all emergencies that may 
arise at sea.” 

‘‘ Oh, thank you ! ” exclaimed the delighted boy. 

Who knows but that we may use them some 
time?” Prophetic Joe! 

Before entering the harbor, another amusement 
was indulged in. A target made of canvas was set 
up on some empty casks and dropped astern. Then, 
when the yacht was several hundred yards away, the 
rapid fire guns were brought to bear on it. There 
were over twenty shots fired. Helen made magnifi- 
cent hits every time, as did Frank Miller. Harry 
also had a fair record, but neither of the others did 
well. 

Then Mr. Littell brought out a fine rifle and an- 
other target was set up. This weapon, too, Helen 
handled with equal facility. In this sport Miss 
Williams surpassed by breaking bottles as they were 
thrown from aloft, but the master shots of the day 
were Frank's, he breaking two thrown at one time; 
and thus the day ended. Nor were the crew of the 
Katharine forgotten. Mr. Littell sent them a hand- 
some present which was received with a hearty cheer 
for the donor. Mr. Purdy excused himself early 


34 


joe's signal code 


from the reception, saying he wished to write to his 
wife, now that they were to leave the following 
morning. As Helen wished to try the code of sig- 
nals, the whole party proceeded to the America be- 
fore parting for the night. Joe was delighted with 
the arrangement. The code was gotten up by Helen 
and was simplified by Mr. Purdy, who suggested 
that it be done by number. Thus : one flash for one, 
two flashes for two, three for three, and so on up to 
six. That is ; the beam should be thrown into the 
air and then lowered to make one, and this repeated 
would make two, and so on. Then, when a number 
was made the code was consulted and it was seen 
what was wanted. 

“For instance,’' said Helen, “ you would see a 
steady light low down for a moment, then followed 
by 3 — 6. You would look and find that 3 — 6 meant, 
‘ Is that the Katharine? ’ ” 

The scheme worked to perfection, but, being a 
boy’s whim without any apparent necessity for it, 
no one thought it would or could be used under 
existing circumstances. After this there was a little 
lingering by our young men before starting for their 
ship that lovely December night. There was much 
to talk about; the dear ones at home, the approach- 
ing Christmas and then the voyages before them. 


HOW THE SIGNAL CODE WAS MADE 


35 


When would they meet again? Somehow this did 
not impress Joe, so he went down below and took a 
look at the storage batteries with the young electri- 
cian in charge, wondering all the time when the 
others would call him, to go. — Innocent Joe! 


N. Y. Y. C. 

America 


Cape Town, Africa, 

December lo, 1893. 


SEARCH-LIGHT SIGNAL CODE 

2 — 3 All well. 

2 — 4 No assistance needed. 

2 — 5 Homeward bound. 

2 — 6 Wish you safe voyage. 

3 — I This is the Katharine. 

3 — 3 Send help. 

3 — 3 Coming at once. 

3 — 4 Is that the A merica ? 

3 — 5 Do you need help. 

3 — 6 Is that the Katharine ? 

4 — 2 This is the A merica. 

4 — 3 Good-by. 

6 — 4 Good-by, sweetheart. 


CHAPTER VII 


A NEW NUMBER ON THE CODE 

With the turn of the tide, which occurred about 
nine o’clock the following morning, and with a fair 
breeze to help her, the Katharine pointed her bow 
toward the Atlantic again, to double the Cape of 
Good Hope for the voyage across the Indian Ocean. 
The steam launch came over from the America with 
Mr. Littell and the ladies aboard to accompany them 
a few miles and then bid them adieu. Mr. Littell came 
aboard the ship and was having a conversation with 
Captain Duncan, while Joe, followed by Harry and 
Frank, descended to the ladies in the little steamer 
to say a last farewell. 

'' Now, Joe! ” said Helen, '' we shall remain here 
for about another week as papa has both business 
and pleasure in view, and then we expect to cruise 
across the Indian Ocean to Melbourne in Australia, 
as you know. We shall remain there for some time, 
as papa is going to open a branch office for his 
business. While this is being done the yacht shall 
36 


A NEW NUMBER ON THE CODE 37 

go to Samoa (if we do not go there first) and after 
leaving us there shall return to Melbourne. While 
' mamma’s health is improved, it is not at all good, so 
for this reason we want to make the cruise a long 
one. It may be a year or more before we again reach 
New York. So you see it is not likely that we may 
use our code for some time to come, but I want to 
give you our route as we already know yours. Of 
course, if mamma thinks it best for her health, we 
may remain at Samoa for an indefinite time while 
the yacht may return to New York without us. 
Mamma has a map for you with our route traced 
out as far as we know it.” 

While Mrs. Littell was going over the map with 
the delighted boy, the others were saying their fare- 
wells, as the time for separation had come. The 
ladies kissed Joe affectionately as he left the launch 
with his small package in his hand. Then all shook 
hands and the launch turned back from the stately 
Katharine. As they passed into the distance there 
were two fair hands fluttering handkerchiefs to the 
small group on the stern deck of the ship. Mr. 
Purdy, who had joined the party, was also watching 
the little craft recede, with his binoculars. Suddenly 
he said : 

‘‘Joe! where is your code? Look at that hand- 


38 


joe's signal code 


kerchief; aren’t they making regular signals? Yes, 
surely! there it is again: 6 — 4. What does that 
mean?/’ 

Joe hastily opened the envelope and straightened 
out the paper. 

‘‘ 6 — 4. ■ Why, that’s a new one they must have 
added last night when Miss Helen went down to get 
the envelope. 6 — 4 is ‘ Good-by, sweetheart.’ ” 

“ Whom on earth does that mean? ” said Purdy. 
“ There are three that signal will fit,” said he smil- 
ing and glancing around. “ She is getting away 
from us. Quick I see what you can reply.” 

Alas 1 there was nothing could be said but 4 — 3, 
which meant “ Good-by.” The launch acknowl- 
edged this; then distance made them indistinct and 
the Katharine was alone again, steering for the 
southern extremity of Africa, which was now close 
at hand. That same evening the ship was fairly 
sailing on her course toward the Indian Ocean, with 
no stop to make until the Port of Manila was 
reached. The weather was very fine now, as De- 
cember is a summer month in this hemisphere. Our 
usual party was again assembled on deck listening 
to the songs of the crew, among them some of the 
funny Dutch airs that Andy sang, and he never 
failed to create a roar of laughter among his hearers 



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A NEW NUMBER ON THE CODE 39 

who, while they did not understand the words, ap- 
plauded the comical rhythm, together with his funny 
rendition. Thus that evening passed, but during the 
night the wind changed and blew a steady breeze 
from the northeast and continued for several days, 
much to their discontent, so that at the end of a 
week's sail they had made but little headway. Dur- 
ing these days, however, Harry lost no time in teach- 
ing Joe the rudiments of a seaman’s profession, and 
he proved an apt pupil. It was intended to educate 
him for sea life; then, if he manifested a liking for 
it as Harry had done, he could remain or go ashore 
into one of the offices, just as circumstances would 
govern the situation. Captain Henderson was now 
wealthy and desired no greater pleasure than that of 
seeing his two boys take his business in hand, for it 
was increasing with each year. The Red Cross Line 
had a reputation for promptness and reliability in 
ocean transportation that was second to none. They 
never wanted for freights, and, in fact, business was 
getting so heavy that it was contemplated adding 
steamers to the line as they already ran a small one 
in the Eastern coast trade. For this reason Harry 
was to remain at Hong Kong for a few years before 
returning to New York. 


CHAPTER VIII 


ANXIOUS HOURS ON BOARD THE AMERICA 

After the departure of the Katharine from Cape 
Town, there was a family council held on the yacht 
at which Mr. Littell said that the boat required dock- 
ing, having fouled considerably, and in addition to 
this, there were good reasons advanced by Dr. Peale 
why the America should go direct to the Samoan 
Islands, on account of the improvement in Mrs. 
Littell’s health, which might be retarded if the yacht 
went to Melbourne and remained there for any 
length of time. So it was decided that when they 
set sail it should be for Apia, at which place the 
ladies would remain until the yacht would call for 
them on its return from Australia. This neces- 
sitated some changes in their outfit, as they would 
have to carry with them many articles from Cape 
Town that they had intended procuring at Mel- 
bourne. 

The yacht was ready and the crew in first class 
condition a few days before Christmas. Then the 


40 


ANXIOUS HOURS ON THE AMERICA 4I 

beautiful craft glided out of the Bay like a stately 
swan, saluting the British cruiser Warspite, at 
anchor in the channel, which the gallant Britons 
courteously acknowledged. For a time their course 
was almost exactly that of the Katharine, which was 
then to the northeast, somewhere in the Indian 
Ocean. Captain Jones often indicated on their 
charts the probable positions of the Katharine, much 
to the interest of the young ladies, though all were 
equally concerned in the welfare of the friends who 
dropped down upon them in mid-ocean at a time of 
need. 

Wasn't it remarkable," said Helen to Emily 
Williams, “ how quickly they caught our farewell 
signal at Cape Town? You know it was simply an 
inspiration with us. No one had thought of using 
dear little Joe’s code for anything else than a 
search-light signal, but the second time we repeated 
it, sure enough, they responded as though it had 
been an understood thing." 

“ Well, if it were not understood then, it seems 
to be pretty well understood now,” said Emily Will- 
iams archly, “or at least it has caused some deep 
thinking." Did Emily suspect? 

There was nothing more said then, but the great 
Indian Ocean was not wide enough to separate those 


42 


joe's signal code 


ships as they plowed their different ways. — After 
an uneventful run, the America reached Apia, from 
which place, when the ladies were comfortably in- 
stalled, she left for Melbourne to remain for several 
months. 

Mrs. Littell improved slowly yet surely under the 
influence of the sea voyage; this with the delightful 
climate of the islands gave Helen hope that she 
might return to New York when the yacht (!:ame 
back from Melbourne, although Dr. Peak had said 
it would require a year or more to effect a perma- 
nent cure and that it would be unadvisable to leave 
sooner. 

Shortly after the America departed from Apia, 
a severe storm set in and continued for some days. 
There was considerable damage done to the shipping 
in the narrow harbor, and occasional vessels coming 
in reported the storm as having been terrific nearer 
the Equator, and there was no doubt of its having 
been accompanied by great destruction. Situated as 
were our friends, they could but anxiously hope for 
the safety of the Katharine, of which nothing could 
be ascertained in these remote islands. Helen spread 
out the chart she had so faithfully used for marking 
the supposed daily track of the Katharine up to the 
time of the arrival of their yacht at Apia. It was 


ANXIOUS HOURS ON THE "''AMERICA"" 43 

with a feeling almost of dread that she found that 
the conjectured position of the ship would fall into 
the storm center of the typhoon. 

But,’" said Emily Williams, grasping at a straw 
of hope, “ did Captain Jones make allowance for the 
difference in speed between the America and the 
Katharine, and might he not have unthinkingly 
given them too much mileage and thus placed them 
much farther north than they really were? You 
know the storm decreased in strength as it extended 
south,” but the recollection of its awful fury even 
in their latitude paled her cheek as she spoke. 

"" No ! ” replied Helen, “the speed was taken into 
consideration and even the winds that might have 
proved contrary were allowed for. You know we 
sailed from Cape Town about a week later, but Cap- 
tain Jones said that the Katharine must have met 
with head winds for some days and probably made 
slower time, although she could sail very close to the 
wind. He had this information from some of his 
sea-faring friends who came into the harbor while 
we were there, so, when we were about Longitude 
60 degrees, they were not more than five degrees 
to the north and probably were meeting head winds 
almost to the time we arrived here, when they must 
have encountered the awful storm. Don’t mention 


44 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


anything of this to mamma. We will hope that all 
is right. If no accident occured, I am not afraid for 
the ship for Captain Jones said there were none 
better afloat, nor were any ships better maimed than 
those of the Red Cross.’’ 

Yes! and I remember he also said in twenty- 
five years that he personally knew the line, they 
never lost a ship,” said her Jriend, “ so we will 
cheer up and hope for the best.” But many days 
passed before they regained their spirits. No news 
came, and to them that was akin to good news. 


CHAPTER IX 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 

For days the Katharine crept slowly into the op- 
posing wind which came steadily from the north- 
east. She was a good sailer and in the hands of 
Captain Duncan did all that a ship could do, but in 
spite of it all, they made but ordinary progress and 
so it went along for a couple of weeks, when there 
was a change in the wind. At first it veered around 
and blew directly out of the southwest, to the great 
joy of everyone on board, but it did not hold on 
more than one day when it proved fickle and turned 
around to the west and then gradually grew un- 
steady. Then Captain Duncan and Harry studied 
the barometer closely and frequently. It had been 
falling for six hours and was still going down. 
There was no doubt in their minds as to what was 
coming. Everything was made secure below and 
aloft. Low steam was kept up in the boiler of the 
hoisting engine so that the steam pumps could be 
put into action at a moment’s notice. Now the wind 
45 


46 


joe's signal code 


almost died out and left even the small sail that they 
carried, idly flapping against the mast. A sense of 
oppression in the atmosphere distressed the men, who 
went about their duties without a word. It was only 
a matter of a few hours at the longest when they 
would be flghting a powerful and relentless enemy. 

Captain Duncan told his passengers courteously 
that, for their personal safety,, they must go below 
while the storm lasted. With Joe’s experience fresh 
in their minds, they had no desire to face a typhoon 
from the deck of the vessel anyhow. Dinner was 
served, but it was scarcely tasted and but little was 
said. When Captain Duncan arose he bade them 
good-by and added humorously: 

“We may be used pretty roughly, but the Kath- 
arine will pull through all right, so don’t be alarmed 
if you hear ' something drop ’; it’s a common occur- 
rence in these latitudes.” 

About an hour later there was a shout on deck, 
then in few moments more the storm broke over the 
scene. The stanch vessel reeled under the blow, 
then, recovering herself, rose to meet the frightful 
tempest that was now howling through the rigging. 
The hoarse commands of the Captain were echoed 
by the clear tones of Harry’s voice that could be dis- 
tinguished even above the roar of the gale. Now 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 47 

and then was heard the thunder of tons of water 
falling on the decks as a cross sea struck the ship 
that quivered as she tossed it aside. Below decks 
all this was combined with the groanings of timbers 
and the terrible poundings of the seas as they vented 
their fury on this creation of man that dared them 
in their own home. There was no rest in the cabin; 
the rising and falling and lurching kept our voyagers 
in constant action. At last Purdy said he was going 
to lie down, an example which the others followed. 
The storm seemed to increase in fury as the night 
came on. It was now getting terrible. The light- 
ning, which had heretofore been intermittent, 
seemed to be almost one constant sheet. The 
thunder and crash of the discharges as clouds re- 
lieved themselves of their high electrical tension 
seemed to rend the heavens, while an almost blinding 
yellow glare opened to the eye a scene of turmoil 
and struggle of the elements that was frightful to 
behold. About sunset, although it had been very 
dark ever since the storm set in, Captain Duncan 
and Harry came down and threw off their sou’ west- 
ers for a few moments to consult their chart, al- 
though they had anxiously hung over it at noon 
when an observation was made. Their position was 
carefully noted again, and with all allowance made 


48 joe's signal code 

for the direction of the storm, they should now be 
within one hundred miles of the west coast of Java, 
but feared they would be driven far out of their 
course during the night, which had set in with no 
cessation of the storm. 

Our passengers were making the best of it. There 
was no comfort in staying about the cabin nor any 
rest in their berths. At times there were thunderous 
reports as the struggling ship met heavy seas; then 
again some of the light sails blew out of their fas- 
tenings with a noise like an explosion. There was 
but little sail carried; simply enough to steady the 
vessel. So the fight was kept up until daylight, but 
with no abatement of the storm. 

“ It’s a wonder we are not struck by lightning,” 
said Joe, as a heavy crash seemed to tear the 
heavens. 

Ships don’t get struck as often as one would 
suppose,” said Mr. Purdy. “ One reason for this is 
that there are a great many points, such as the mast 
heads and yards presented to the current and it 
really often does get struck as it were, but the force 
of the bolt is taken on so many places at once that 
the current is broken up and is harmless, yet it may 
strike, say our mizzen peak. If it did, we should 
get the full force of it right here in the cabin where 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 49 

the mast passes through the deck, or there may be 
a divided flash coming down the main and mizzen 
masts at one time. For some reason or other there 
are no lightning rods or conductors on the main or 
mizzen masts of the Katharine; I noticed that some 
time ago.’' 

“How can you tell how far a bolt is away from 
us, as you have done several times during the 
storm? ” said Joe. 

“ Well ! when we see the flash, then begin count- 
ing the seconds that elapse until the report or roll 
of thunder is heard ; we have but to remember that 
each second means that it is about a fifth of a mile 
away; in reality it is a little farther than that, as 
sound travels 1142 feet in a second, and there are 
5280 feet in a mile. When we see the flash, and 
almost instantly hear the report, or the thunder, 
then it is very close.” 

There was but little breakfast eaten that morn- 
ing. The crockery would scarcely stay on the 
ship’s table. Captain Duncan turned in for a few 
hours’ rest, intending to relieve Harry at noon. On 
account of the danger on deck none of the cabin 
passengers were permitted above as yet. At noon 
Captain Duncan again went on deck and tried to 
take an observation, but it was impossible with that 


50 


joe's signal code 


angry sky overhead. Just as Harry turned to go 
below, there was a cry from the lookout that there 
was a sail in sight. A flash of lightning showed for 
an instant a large, three-masted vessel like the Kath- 
arine, struggling with the tempest, about a mile 
away. 

“ Too near for comfort ! ” shouted Captain Dun- 
can, and then ordered signals-tO' be burned to notify 
the stranger, who returned them as best she could 
while rising and falling on the heavy seas. 

Harry came below with the news, but said, as yet, 
they apprehended nO' danger from the other ship, as 
there was still considerable sea room and each was 
on the lookout for the other. 

“ What bothers us most," said he, “ is our posi- 
tion. We haven’t had an observation for over 
twenty-four hours, and it will be another day before 
we can take one, even if the storm permits it. We 
have an eastward drift, but it is very slow, so 
there will hardly be any trouble to-night on that ac- 
count. It’s our neighbor over there that we want 
to avoid. Call me at six o’clock. I must be on 
deck again to let Captain Duncan have a little 
rest.’’ 

Amid the howling gale and fearful lightning, the 
young mate slept until evening like a child in its 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 5 1 

quiet home. He had scarcely gotten ready to go 
on deck when he was called to come quickly. The 
sight he beheld was almost enough to make one quail. 
Right abreast of them, and not more than five hun- 
dred yards away was the strange ship battling with 
the storm. It was not necessary to burn a signal 
now. They saw each other only too well in the 
little daylight that remained, for the dark, dreary 
day was just closing. 

They may yet drift across our stern,” said Cap- 
tain Duncan. “If we thoroughly understand each 
other, we shall avoid a collision. It will be a risky 
thing to make sail in this blow, but one or the other 
must do it. I think their captain knows it must be 
done here, for his foremast is broken off short, but 
still he appears to be able to manage his ship so 
far.” 

For the last few minutes the wind had been dying 
down, and now there was a rift in the overcast sky 
in the southwest, throwing a strange light over 
the struggling ocean. 

“ Mr. Henderson, call up our passengers ! ” said 
Captain Duncan, “ this break won’t last long. We 
want them to know the situation while it is light 
enough for them to see ! ” 

There was a deadly stillness on the Katharine now; 


52 


joe's signal code 


the wind had gradually died away, leaving the ocean 
in an angry turmoil, but the lightning had not 
ceased its vivid play, and was still adding a startling- 
effect to the scene presented to our three voyagers 
when they came up to the deck. The strange vessel 
was drawing a little closer, and now that the wind 
had fallen, she was unable to check her slow drift 
through the mighty seas. 

Do you think she will strike us? ” asked Joe. 

Well, that’s hard to tell now,” said Harry. 

There’s some sort of a current setting this way 
that has brought her nearer than she was this morn- 
ing, although we are drifting also. We don’t an- 
ticipate any danger just yet; still, with the high sea, 
and the hurricane liable to come back on us at any 
moment, it is not desirable company, especially as 
night is coming on.” 

What nationality is she? ” asked Frank, gazing 
at the ship that was still plainly visible. 

“ English ! and very likely to be bound for the 
Cape or Australia. We have had them in sight for 
some time, and have been struggling against the 
storm together.” 

By this time the sun had almost gone down, but 
the vivid lightning showed the other ship to be in 
about the same position. Captain Duncan went 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP $3 

below with the party, leaving Harry in charge, 
with instructions to call him if any change took 
place/^ 

Aside from a few hard knocks from heavy seas 
coming aboard, the Katharine had suffered but little, 
but there had been no observations taken since the 
storm set in, and this, coupled with the fact that 
they were driven considerably out of their course, 
gave the Captain no little concern. The night closed 
in with some abatement in the tremendous seas that 
were tossing the large ship like a toy. About an 
hour after sunset, Captain Duncan was hastily sum- 
moned to the deck. The stranger was only a few 
hundred yards distant now. It seemed as if some 
magnetic force were drawing the ships together, so 
persistently did they near each other. They could 
now hear the loud commands to the other crew, who 
were righting the damages made by the broken 
foremast. 

Not a word was spoken. All seemed to realize 
their dangerous position as they stood there watch- 
ing the approaching ship. 

It seems to me that she is drifting a little more 
to the stern, or we are forging ahead some,” said 
Frank, finally, as a flash of lightning showed her 
position. 


54 


joe's signal code 


“ Yes! she is,” said Harry. We shall clear her 
all right if it keeps on.” 

The ships were not more than a hundred yards 
apart, but the stranger gradually worked sternward 
as she approached. 

What ship is that ? ” shouted Captain Duncan. 

The Meteor! bound for Melbourne, two days 
out from Batavia,” was shouted back. 

“ I think we shall clear all right now,” said Cap- 
tain Duncan, “ but it was a close call, and the danger 
is not all over yet. If the wind rises we are still too 
close for safety; the lull can’t last much longer. It 
is a peculiarity of these East Indian hurricanes and 
typhoons to suddenly blow out, for a period vary- 
ing from a very short time to half a day, but this 
will come back at us.” 

The sea had gone down somewhat, but by nine 
o’clock that night the storm again set in with re- 
doubled fury. The Meteor had drifted about a mile 
to the southwest. With occasional signals it was 
seen that there was no immediate danger and so an- 
other rough night was passed, but with the renewal 
of the storm came the lightning, which had lessened 
somewhat as the wind lulled. The following morn- 
ing the Meteor could be discerned several miles dis- 
tant, bearing up against the furious gale and 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 55 

seemed to be laboring hard. Suddenly a bolt of 
lightning fell on the Katharine with a report like the 
discharge of a cannon. Streams of fire flashed down 
the main and mizzen masts. For a few seconds 
there was heard only the sound of the storm, then 
arose a cry from some of the men that Captain Dun- 
can was killed. He had been standing near the main- 
mast at the time the bolt descended. Harry was on 
the spot immediately, with him Mr. Purdy and 
Frank, who hurriedly came up from the cabin fol- 
lowed by Joe, who appeared completely dazed. 

“ Has he been hurt, too ? ” cried Harry. 

“ No! but we were all shaken up for a little time. 
I’m afraid the charts are destroyed,” said Frank, as 
they were carrying the Captain’s form to the rear. 
At this juncture one of the men came hastily to 
Harry, and reported that there was fire in the hold 
near the mainmast. Leaving Frank and Purdy to 
care for the still insensible man, Harry, who now 
assumed charge of the ship, hastened to the waist 
and found that there was evidently a fire below. A 
thin column of smoke was ascending from the small 
rent torn through the heavy deck by the lightning. 
A hose, already attached to the steam pumps, was 
put into play through the opening, as the seas were 
still running too high to attempt taking off the 


56 


joe's signal code 


hatches; then turning his attention to the Captain, 
upon whom Purdy was still at work, — 

“ Is he dead ? " he asked anxiously. 

No; I think not," said Frank. 

'' His heart is beating faintly, I think," said Purdy. 

It may simply be a case of suspended animation. 
He doesn’t show a sign of a burn. There’s no doubt 
in my mind that the current only stunned him. It 
certainly did not traverse his body." 

“ The fire is getting worse, sir," said the second 
mate to Harry. “ Better come forward and look at 
it" 

It was indeed beginning to look serious. As a 
last resort, the hatch was ordered off, and the hose 
turned in with all force, but without avail. It was 
closed again and a wet tarpaulin placed over the 
damaged spot to exclude the air. It was evident 
that the good ship was in a serious position. A rag- 
ing storm without, a slow fire within. The outlook 
was one calculated to try the soul of the young com- 
mander. Calling men who could be spared, he or- 
dered them to make another effort with the fire hose. 
While this was being done, Harry hastened to the 
cabin for the second time, and assured himself that 
there was no fire there. Joe was at work arranging 
the charts, some of which were almost completely 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 57 

destroyed, while others had been scattered around in 
wild confusion. 

The bolt had followed the floor to the stern, 
and then along an iron stanchion to the outside, 
where it probably gained the sea. On deck again, 
Harry, finding there was nothing to be gained by 
using the hose through the deck, called for vol- 
unteers to take the stream below. There was a 
ready response from the crew, but only two were 
hastily selected. Fastening ropes to their waists and 
placing wet sponges over their nostrils, they jumped 
down into the cargo. For a full minute they fought 
the fire that was eating its way into some inflamma- 
ble material under the deck; when suddenly both 
staggered, being overcome by the smoke, and were 
hastily withdrawn from their danger. Again the 
hatches were tightly closed, for the fire seemed to 
grow worse with the incoming fresh air. The seas 
that had at times washed the decks would have been 
welcomed now, but the air must be shut off. It was 
at last decided to abandon the Katharine. There 
were three boats on the ship, two long boats, capable 
of holding twelve men each, and one smaller boat 
that would carry six men. These were gotten ready 
as speedily as possible, with provisions and water 
aboard. While this was done, signals were made to 


58 joe's signal code 

the Meteor^ which was yet in sight a few miles 
away. 

The sea was still running very high, yet it was 
not so violent as it had been at dawn, nor was the 
wind so strong, but with all this, the prospect was 
gloomy indeed. Captain Duncan, disabled, if not 
dying, would have to^ be carried into a boat to be 
launched into that angry ocean. Everything was 
done quietly, with the coolness that characterizes a 
well-disciplined crew. The lookout reported that 
the Meteor was responding to the signals of the 
Katharine, just as the first boat was ordered to be 
launched. This was accomplished in safety, though 
at considerable risk. Then the next boat, in charge 
of the second mate, was gotten off, narrowly escap- 
ing being crushed against the ship’s side by a heavy 
sea. Captain Duncan was taken in this one. 
Through the prompt and effective measures taken 
by Mr. Purdy, who had hardly left him since his 
prostration, he had so far recovered as to be able to 
move his limbs, but was still helpless. Tears came 
to the eyes of the men as they carried him to the 
boat, that was now on its stormy way, out of one 
danger and into another. As the boats left, the 
men bid good-by to their young commander, whom 
they knew must be the last one to leave the ship. 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 59 

The latter, with Andy, who begged to remain for 
the small boat, was the only member of the ship’s 
crew remaining. 

Both Frank and Mr. Purdy were good oarsmen, 
but Harry had counted on carrying a small sail to 
help them after once clear of the ship. Not a word 
was spoken, except an occasional order in regard to 
the preparation for the launching. Andy held the 
wheel, keeping the ship’s head to the sea, awaiting 
the final order to secure it and join the party. Harry 
was taking a last look at the shattered opening near 
the main mast through which, in spite of all that 
could be done to close it, the smoke was coming 
rapidly. As he turned to go he felt a hand on his 
shoulder. Frank was at his side. 

Harry, my boy!” said he, “ is it not enough 
that one disaster after the other has overtaken us, 
that you should add sorrow to them, because we are 
with you in this trouble? I want to say it right 
now; for when we are out on that raging sea I prob- 
ably cannot; that I would rather be with you in this 
time of peril than to be walking the streets of Brook- 
lyn in safety and alone. You have not shown it, 
but I know that even in this supreme danger, your 
heaviest care has been for the safety of those who 
are in your charge. With God’s help, we will pull 


6o 


joe's signal code 


through yet, I know it. — Now, you may be com- 
'mander again;” — then with a clasp of the hands that 
meant more than words could express or tongue 
could tell, the two parted for the moment 

There was another passenger on the Katharine 
whose name was not entered on the ship’s books, but 
now that most of the company had left the burning 
ship, he came more into prominence on account of 
his dependence on his human friends. It was a dog 
belonging to the crew, which had picked him up at 
Cape Town, and with the officers’ consent, had 
brought him aboard. He was of no particular breed, 
but seemed to possess more than ordinary ca- 
nine intelligence. The crew had already taught him 
several amusing tricks, in the short time they had 
had him. Joe was positively fond of Toby, and now 
that the dog was again allowed on deck, he followed 
his young friend around closely, showing by every 
action that he knew the danger they were in. At 
Joe’s solicitation, it was arranged to take the dog 
into their boat, which was now ready. Ordering 
Andy, who' was at the wheel, to lash it fast, so as 
to keep the ship to the sea as long as possible, Harry 
gave the order for all to assemble quickly, for the 
dangerous work of launching, and following the 
other two boats, that were struggling out on the 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 


6l 


angry ocean, now on a wave, now in a watery hollow, 
from which, it seemed, they might never rise again. 
Suddenly there was a ringing cry from Andy to look 
out for a huge sea much higher than had been run- 
ning that came charging in from the ocean, taking 
the vessel on the port bow, catching in its wild rush 
the boat on its davits, crushing it like an egg shell, 
deluging the decks in the wild watery rout that fol- 
lowed. Scarcely had there been time enough for all 
to escape from harm, but drenched to the last thread, 
they saw their hopes dashed to the winds. As if to 
survey its cruel stroke, there was a momentary lull 
in the tempest, during which not a word was spoken, 
beyond quickly ordering Andy to the wheel. Toby 
tremblingly sat looking into Joe’s eyes, as if he well 
knew their desperate situation, when suddenly a rat 
that had come up from somewhere below, scurried 
along the deck, and true to his instincts, Toby rushed 
after him, losing him in the galley that enclosed the 
boiler of the hoisting engine. 

In spite of their predicament they followed the 
dog with their eyes, as he disappeared in full chase 
of the rodent, but the incident, ludicrous as it was, 
seemed to direct them into a channel that eventually 
led to the saving of the Katharine. 

Why can’t we use steam? ” cried Frank. 


62 


joe's signal code 


“ Steam for what ? ” 

'' For extinguishing the fire.” 

Mr. Purdy grasped the idea at once. In company 
with Frank, he was in the boiler galley in a moment. 
With Harry’s aid the necessary tools were found and 
at once Frank began disconnecting the pipe running 
from the blow-off cock to the vessel’s side. With 
good pipe tongs this was done in a few minutes, 
then, with a large auger, a hole was bored through 
the planking separating the galley from the hold; 
through this was thrust a piece of the pipe just taken 
out. This was again connected to the boiler and 
the blow-off was opened, the steam and water pour- 
ing into the burning hold, instead of going out of 
the side of the ship. With a roar like a mighty tor- 
rent it thundered into the vessel’s hold, under a 
pressure of over a hundred pounds to the square inch, 
penetrating to the uttermost corners of the structure. 
Then it b^an working out of the smaller openings 
from which the smoke had been escaping, some com- 
ing back through the galley, enveloping it in a thin 
white cloud. So the two elements, fire and steam, 
fought for the mastery within, while the tempest 
raged without. One, two, five, ten minutes, the thun- 
der kept up, then it gradually ceased and was quiet. 
There was no more smoke, or anything to indicate 


LEFT ON A BURNING SHIP 63 

that there was fire existing in the hold now, yet it 
was deemed prudent not to raise the hatches to make 
an examination for about an hour, during which 
time the boiler was again filled by the hand pumps, 
and fire once more put under it for further emer- 
gencies. During this time the boats had gone so far 
to the south that they were barely visible. With a 
prayer on his lips for their safety, Harry assisted the 
rest to remove the hatch. A dense steamy air poured 
out for a moment, after which Harry descended to 
make an examination. Not a sign of fire existed; all 
had been extinguished before any of the vessel’s tim- 
bers were even scorched, but in another hour it would 
have been beyond control, as it was just attacking a 
lot of light and combustible furniture consigned to 
Manila and Hong Kong. When Harry came up 
and reported that there was no further danger from 
fire, Joe hugged Frank and wept for joy, while Toby, 
who seemed to comprehend his part in the work, 
capered around the deck after Joe, who rushed back 
to the wheel to tell Andy the good news. 

'' Ich hops gewisst ! ” said Andy, shaking his head 
knowingly, forgetting in his excitement that Joe did 
not understand Pennsylvania Dutch. I see dem do 
de same sing up in de coal mines where I once work. 
I know Mr. Frank will do it when he commence! ” 


64 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


‘‘ But/' said Joe, “ we mustn’t forget that Toby 
kind of put us on to the idea;” then, giving the dog 
an affectionate pat on the head, he ran back to assist 
in relaying the open hatch. 

The afternoon had now advanced into early even- 
ing, with some abatement in the storm. The boats 
had gone out of sight, nor was the Meteor to be 
seen. Frank Miller looked out on that black, stormy 
sea, and thought of the brave men struggling there, 
if they had been spared thus far; then with a silent 
prayer in his heart for their safety, he saw how 
miraculously those he loved dearly as life itself had 
been saved from a terrible fate. Though the dangers 
of the sea still confronted them, he realized a Provi- 
dential hand had cared for them through it all. 


CHAPTER X 


A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE 

Mr. Purdy acted the cook that evening. He soon 
had a good supper ready, after he once got the run 
of the cook’s galley, but he could not forbear com- 
menting on the cumbersome ways of modern cook- 
ing when compared with the light, elegant and more 
effective methods that would be afforded by elec-, 
tricity. After the meal, Harry relieved Andy at the 
wheel, sending him below for rest. From all ap- 
pearances the storm was gradually decreasing in 
fury. About midnight, Frank, who was on the look- 
out, came back to the wheel, and pointing to the 
leeward, asked Harry to watch for the next flash 
of the now distant lightning. There was something 
in that direction, but he could not make it out. Harry 
scanned the waters as best he could by the inter- 
mittent flashes, but could only say that there was 
something there, whether land, or clouds near the 
horizon he could not determine; at all events, there 
was nothing to fear for the present. 

65 


66 


joe's signal code 


Having called Andy about an hour later, he walked 
forward with Frank to keep watch, well knowing 
the risk they were running as they drifted almost 
blindly before the wind in an unknown sea. Just 
then another flash illumined the scene, when right 
before them stood a headland towards which the 
Katharine was steering, utterly unconscious of its 
proximity. 

“ Port your helm ! ” cried Harry, and the ship 
evaded the danger like a living thing. They could 
now hear the distant roaring of heavy surf on the 
port side. Another sheet of light showed them 
running almost parallel to a shore that towered high 
out of the water, against the sides of which the sea 
rolled in impotent fury. Hastily running below, 
Frank woke up Mr. Purdy and Joe, so as to be 
ready in case the vessel struck, a catastrophe that 
might now occur any moment. Then there was a 
cry from Andy — 

“ Breakers to the starboard ! " 

The situation was indeed desperate. Land on 
either side of them, a driving ocean behind them, 
and Egyptian darkness, now and then relieved a 
little by lightning, covered them as with a pall. 
Would the noble ship at last meet with destruction 
after running a gauntlet of fire and tempest ? It was 


A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE 


67 


now apparent that they were moving between lines 
of breakers, but of their extent they could not even 
form an idea. Harry summoned all to the wheel, 
and, in a few words, told them to prepare for the 
worst. That there was yet deep water ahead was 
evident, but how long it would continue was a dread- 
ful uncertainty. Guided only by sounds, not daring 
to drop their anchors even if so disposed, the brave 
little crew waited with calmness the awful end. 
Again in that trying moment Harry felt that strong 
hand and heard Frank Miller’s words of cheer and 
hope. They saw that they were drifting through 
some dangerously narrow channel now, for the 
sounds of breakers was gradually being left astern 
and then; in one more minute, the Katharine was 
riding in smooth water. Hastily casting the lead, 
they found deep water, while another flash showed 
it clear again on all sides. The wind no longer drove 
them, and the ocean, that thundered on some distant 
shore, no longer threatened them. The anchor was 
let go with a rush and the Katharine was at last in 
a haven of rest. 


CHAPTER XI 


A SAFE HARBOR IN AN UNKNOWN ISLAND 

A DOME-LIKE elevation that almost aspired to the 
dignity of a mountain, with its one side gently slop- 
ing down in the northern distance; covered with 
tropical verdure from its crown to- its base; was just 
being touched by the golden rays of an equatorial 
sun. Down the sides the light crept until it shone 
on a peaceful shore at the foot of the eminence, ex- 
tending for miles to the north, forming one side of 
a long narrow sheet of water about twO' or three 
miles in width, separated from the ocean by a series 
of narrow, low-lying islands, against which, on this 
beautiful Sabbath morning, the ocean was pounding 
in a long muffled roar ; the surf, at times, flying high 
into the air like jets of mighty fountains. Not a 
sign of a human habitation was in sight anywhere 
along that beautiful land-locked bay. Here and there 
were indentations into the main land in which a ship 
might lie secure from any tempest. Near the south- 
ern end of this great harbor, and just opposite the 

foot of the mountain, lay the Katharine safely at 
68 


A SAFE HARBOR IN AN UNKNOWN ISLAND 69 

anchor. Not a man was seen moving about her 
decks even at this hour. She seemed as if asleep 
and resting after the race of life and death of the 
past few days. Farther to the south, and about a 
half-mile distant, the high land curved around 
toward the sea until it almost met the chain of islets 
that made the seaward side of the bay, forming a 
narrow and difficult passage, apparently not wide 
enough for a ship to pass in safety. Through this 
narrow inlet a Guiding Hand brought the Katharine 
as by a miracle, in the darkness of the past night. 
The sun was high in the heavens before there was 
anyone astir on the ship. Harry, who had stood 
watch until sunrise, when he saw that all was safe, 
did not think it was necessary to disturb the sleep 
of the others who had gone through the strain of the 
past few days; but quietly turned in for a much 
needed rest. 

It was not until noon that all assembled on deck, 
where Harry read the church service and all de- 
voutly joined in prayer for the safety of their friends 
and in giving thanks to Him who holdeth the sea in 
the hollow of His. hand, for their own almost miracu- 
lous deliverance from the jaws of death. Again Mr. 
Purdy acted as the cook, fairly outdoing himself in 
getting up a dinner for the hungry crew. There was 


70 


joe's signal code 


soup, fresh fish, fine canned meats and vegetables, 
followed by excellent tea. It is true that some of 
these were almost ready for the table, but his genius 
was shown on the fish that Andy had caught, and 
which was pronounced excellent by the company. 
Aside from only what was absolutely necessary, not 
a stroke of work was done; that Sabbath was made 
a day of rest, for there was much to do' on the mor- 
row. The ship must be made secure, then the island 
(if it were an island), must be explored for any 
possible traces of their friends, first of all. As they 
sat together that lovely evening, talking over the 
events of the past week and of the work before them, 
mention was made that the only boat they possessed 
now, was the small dingy, when a larger boat would 
be so necessary. 

But we have another ! " said Joe confidently, 
“ we have the yacht in the cargo, and you remember 
the party who shipped it regretted that we could not 
have a chance to try it before stowing it away." 

It was a fact that had been overlooked. There 
were also three barrels of naphtha sent with it, se- 
curely packed, so as to avoid accidents. The ship- 
pers sent these for the trial trip, and wanted to be 
sure of a good article. This was stowed away on 
the upper deck out of harm’s way. Joe’s suggestions 


A SAFE HARBOR IN AN UNKNOWN ISLAND 7 1 

to use it were hailed with joy, and arrangements 
were made for next day to get the yacht out and have 
it put into running order. After breakfast the fol- 
lowing morning steam was raised in the boiler of the 
hoisting engine and all the hatches were lifted from 
their fastenings. An examination showed that the 
lightning, after passing down the main mast and 
tearing a hole in the deck, had set fire to some bales 
of carpet stowed at this point. These were almost 
consumed; then followed a lot of crockery in straw 
packing; this, too, burned slowly in the confined 
hold, but the fire had already commenced an attack 
on a lot of light furniture. Here it was checked just 
in time to prevent the total destruction of the ves- 
sel. While the debris was being cleared out (which 
took but a few hours) Mr. Purdy was speculating 
as to the course of the bolt of lightning after it 
reached the interior. For,^’ said he, “ if it had 
passed right down through the hull into the sea, 
there would have been more or less of an opening 
torn in the bottom of the ship, creating a leak, yet 
the pumps showed that not a drop of water had 
entered. There is not a sign of a rupture anywhere, 
in fact here is the last trace of it,’' pointing to the 
seam made in the side of the mast. It tore a rag- 
ged channel like this, which is so deep that we can 


72 


joe's signal code 


lay a finger into it, from the main truck to here, and 
then disappears.” 

‘‘ Der alt dunnerwetter may be bruttzling around 
yet in de corners of de schif ! ” said Andy, raising a 
hearty laugh at this quaint way of putting it. Purdy 
finally conjectured that it must have found its way 
through a lot of brass covered curtain poles among 
the cargo; and from there into the main hold through 
various metallic articles, which conducted it into a 
large lot of steam pipe, where it was finally dispersed 
and eventually found its way seaward. 

Then we must have been on a kind of a floating 
Leyden jar for a short space,” said Frank, with a 
laugh, “ and Andy was not so very far wrong after 
all.” 

By this time the hold was put into shape again; 
the damaged goods were hoisted out and everything 
useless was thrown overboard. Their attention was 
then directed to the electrical machinery which, 
thanks to its secure packing, had not suffered either 
from the water thrown into the hold, nor from 
steam and hot water from the boiler, and the cargo 
had suffered very little as a whole. The naphtha 
engine for the yacht was hoisted out on the deck, 
where Frank took charge of it, and soon had it in 
order, there being explicit directions attached for 


A SAFE HARBOR IN AN UNKNOWN ISLAND 73 

its use and care. Then slings were fastened t0‘ the 
boat itself, which came forth from its snug crib to 
the outer air and was deposited on the deck, where it 
was blocked into position temporarily, prior to being 
lowered into the waters of the bay. It was a beauti- 
fully molded craft, the hull being built of light 
steel, thoroughly covered with a pure rubber paint 
to prevent corrosion. The propeller, of the latest 
design, was made of bronze. As the engine always 
runs in one direction, the boat was backed by an 
ingenious arrangement of the propeller blades, which 
were reversed by a simple movement of a lever, 
while the engine was running. In the bow was a 
cast iron reservoir for naphtha, holding enough to 
run forty miles. As the power was generated in 
the cylinder, where it was used, an electric spark was 
necessary to ignite the naphtha gas. This was ac- 
complished by a two-cell battery, having a spark 
coil in circuit. 

There was every convenience for passengers, of 
which it could readily carry eight or ten with ease. 
Joe was delighted with the handsome little pilot 
wheel, which was placed at the forward end, along 
with an electric switch used for starting and stopping 
the engine, which could also be controlled from the 
rear if desired. 


74 


joe's signal code 


The trim little craft reached the waters of the bay 
in safety, on which it rode like a duck; then the 
engine was sent down and placed in position by 
Frank and Mr. Purdy. On either side of the bow, 
in neat letters of brass, appeared the name Edna,’’ 
the yacht no doubt being called after someone in 
the family of the party to whom it was consigned 
in Manila. It was three o’clock in the afternoon 
before the Edna first turned her wheel to make a 
trial trip preparatory to her errand of mercy the fol- 
lowing day. Accompanied by Frank, who took fre- 
quent soundings as they went along, Harry ran in 
near to shore and then, turning to the north, fol- 
lowed the middle of the bay to the extreme end and 
then skirting the islands forming the barrier be- 
tween the ocean and the bay, they returned to the 
Katharine after an absence of about three hours. 

“ She works beautifully; a child could manage 
her! ” said Harry. '' We went the full length of the 
bay and were out on the ocean for quite a distance 
to test her thoroughly. I am now convinced she can 
be used with safety in an ordinary sea. On our way 
up we stopped at the islet forming one side of the- 
entrance from the north. On it we found thousands 
of eggs of sea birds and have brought along a few 
dozen. These outlying islands must be full of them, 


A SAFE HARBOR IN AN UNKNOWN ISLAND 75 

but not a sign of a human being is to be seen any- 
where from our point of observation along the 
shore/' 

Evening had closed around them with the char- 
acteristic suddenness of the tropics, when the whole 
party gladly obeyed Mr. Purdy's call to supper, 
which was now ready. Then plans were laid and 
debated for the morrow. There were many things 
to do but it was felt that the first duty was toward 
their missing comrades who might be wrecked or 
had drifted to those shores. 

I think we are on an island," said Harry, “ from 
the fact that we are now on the eastern shore of this 
land. Were it the western shore it might be some 
part of Java or Sumatra, and it certainly is not In- 
dia. We cannot tell the exact latitude, nor the longi- 
tude; our instruments have been lost in the boats. 
Fortunately we have three fine watches that have 
been kept running and they still agree. They were 
set at Cape Town on the time of the Meridian of 
Greenwich ; from these we may get somewhere near 
our longitude, and we can also approximate our 
latitude, but that is a matter that can wait We will 
explore the coast as far as we can to-morrow and 
continue until we have made a thorough search for 
our men." 


CHAPTER XII 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 

The morning dawned bright and beautiful and 
there was a gentle breeze coming in from the sea, 
scarcely ruffling the waters of the bay. At seven 
o’clock the Edna was ready for her errand of mercy. 
Harry and Frank only were to go, leaving the care 
of the vessel (and there was plenty to do) in the 
hands of Mr. Purdy' and the rest. The yacht car- 
ried a two-days’ supply of water and provisions, 
with such articles as might be needed in case they 
found the shipwrecked men. Then there were two 
good repeating rifles and a pair of revolvers taken 
along for emergencies, which they sincerely hoped 
would not arise. Bidding the rest good-by, Harry 
steered the sprightly boat toward the south entrance 
through which the Katharine drifted that awful 
night. They found the channel plenty deep enough 
for a large vessel, but so very narrow at a few points 
that Harry saw at once they could not get the ship 
out again without the assistance of a large crew, 
76 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 77 

and even then it would be fraught with danger, 
there being sharp, needle-like rocks projecting along 
the straitened passage for some hundreds of yards. 
Nothing was said as they mutely observed the ter- 
rible gauntlet through which the ship had run. After 
clearing the passage they came out on the open water 
with the high, cliff-like shore to their right. They 
ran along this for about a mile, when they found it 
was a headland rounding off toward the west. This 
they recognized as the first land they sighted when 
they were driven before the storm. 

Rounding it they found an open bay on the v/est- 
ern side formed by the rocky cape they had just 
doubled and the southern shore of the island. Fol- 
lowing the shore closely and searching for any sign, 
they made their way westward. When they had 
left the cape about three miles behind them they 
observed the mouth of a stream that entered into 
the bay at this point. It was about two hundred 
feet wide, presenting a singularly calm appearance 
for some distance out from shore. 

“ Look here! ” said Frank, pointing to some large 
iridescent patches floating on the water, that looks 
like oil.” 

I think it is oil I ” said Harry, and to my mind 
that is what makes the water so calm here.” 


78 


joe's signal code 


It seemed to be floating out of the creek across 
the mouth of which they were now passing. They 
sighted it inland as far as the first bend, when it was 
lost to view, and then proceeded on their way to 
the west. Thus far they had not seen one sign of 
life along the shore, except vast numbers of birds of 
different kinds. They remarked the absence of fear 
among them as the Edna passed along near to their 
haunts, showing that man was a new creature to 
them and was not to be feared. They could now 
look back across the land to the mountain which had 
not been out of their sight since they rounded the 
cape. It was estimated that the distance run thus 
far was about eight miles, but as the shore was un- 
known to them it was necessary at times to run 
slowly, so that it was not until noon that they passed 
the creek. This part of the island was open country 
that seemed to stretch inland for a few miles, re- 
vealing large and beautiful stretches of grass-cov- 
ered land, dotted here and there with groves of trop- 
ical trees, some of which stood so near shore that 
they were easily recognized as the cocoanut tree. 

Further inland the ground rose somewhat and was 
apparently a vast forest as far as the eye could 
see. On the west coast they found that a rocky side 
of the land rose out of the water to a considerable 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 79 

height and did not, at most places, show more than 
a few feet of beach, presenting a most inhospitable 
appearance. As the afternoon was drawing to a 
close and there appeared to be no safe anchorage 
along the coast, they determined to run back to the 
creek on the south side and anchor for the night. 

In order to save fuel, Harry had rigged a small 
sail for the yacht that could be used in a fair wind. 
This was spread and the return to the creek was 
made almost as quickly as they had come out. 
Reaching the mouth, they proceeded inland running 
with great care until a suitable place was reached 
where they anchored off shore for the night. The 
yacht was evidently intended for trips of this kind 
and she was well fitted for the work. Under the 
seats, which were really capacious lockers, was 
everything needful for camping or anchoring out for 
any length of time. In addition to this there was 
stowed out of sight a water-proof cover for the 
entire boat in case of a heavy rain such as would 
be met in the tropics. After supper they talked 
quite a while over their plans and then, after a short 
prayer for the safety of absent ones and with thanks 
for the care of the day, they made beds from the 
comfortable cushions and turned in for the night, 
sleeping in safety until sunrise. 


8o 


joe's signal code 


Breakfast over they passed swiftly out of the 
creek with the tide, intending to complete the circuit 
of the island, if possible, that day. They found the 
same rocky coast extending all along the west side 
of the island commencing at the meadow lands in 
the south. There was ‘ absolutely no landing place 
along the west coast except at the southern end. 
Continuing along the northern side of the island 
thjey found, with a few exceptions, the same for- 
bidding shore. The yacht was now approaching 
the narrow passage at the north end of the bay and 
once inside they would sight the Katharine lying 
at the other end, having made a complete circuit 
of the island during which they had not seen a trace 
of the missing crew along the coast. About noon 
they arrived at the inlet through which they had 
been on the Edna's trial trip. In a few moments 
they sighted the ship safe at anchor about six miles 
away. Continuing along the inside shore line they 
stopped for a little while tO' examine another creek 
entering the bay from the interior. 

This will be a splendid place to anchor the 
ship,” said Harry, here is fresh water, a good 
landing place and plenty of depth.” 

Following the stream inland for a half mile it 
was suddenly brought to an end at the foot of a 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 


8l 


series of cascades, the water pure as crystal descend- 
ing from a considerable height from some elevated 
source. Leaving this they again ran out into the 
bay where they were sighted by the crew on the 
Katharine who waved them a welcome as they ap- 
proached, having been gone about thirty-three 
hours. “We have not found a sign of our friends 
nor have we seen a living thing along the shores 
of the island except birds,” said Frank. “We now 
know we are on an island having a shore line of 
about fifty miles with a forbidding coast on the 
northern and western sides. If our friends have, 
in God’s Providence, landed here, which in the light 
of our exploration seems improbable, they must be 
in the interior.” 

“We will try again to-morrow,” said Harry, 
“ commencing at the mouth of the creek on the 
south side, running in as far as we can. I do not 
think it well to make a land exploration with less 
than three in the party and then Toby may go with 
us; he will prove a good member of the expedition, 
I think.” 

The dog looked up and wagged his tail when he 
heard his name mentioned and looked as serious as 
if he understood the whole situation. So it was de- 
cided that Mr. Purdy should accompany the boat 


82 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


while Joe and Andy took care of the vessel. Con- 
siderable work yet remained to be done about the 
ship. The sails were let down and dried; the dis- 
order left by the storm in many ways was being 
repaired and a lookout was kept seaward for any 
sail that might pass in sight. Again next morning 
the Edna plowed her way out through the nar- 
row channel and rounded the cape, standing for the 
creek which was entered with the tide that had just 
turned. Carefully feeling their way, they passed 
their anchorage of the night previous, arriving at 
the first bend in a short time. The mountain here 
lay about three miles northeast in a direct line. 
The country, which was open and grass grown for 
a half mile from the mouth of the creek, was dotted 
with palm trees of all varieties, many with fruits, 
among which Harry recognized the date palm and 
the sago palm. Cocoanut trees loaded with nuts 
were seen in abundance as the boat slowly moved in. 
They still had plenty depth of water at a distance 
of nearly two miles from the mouth. The creek 
had gradually narrowed down in width to about 
fifty yards between banks, showing a depth of eight 
feet. The oil sheen seemed to be confined to the 
west bank now, which showed that whatever it came 
from was not far away. 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 83 

“ There it is! ’’ said Frank, pointing to an open- 
ing to the left. It’s coming in from another 
smaller creek that joins the main stream at this 
point.” 

'' I think it’s an oil stream,” said Mr. Purdy, it 
looks like the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania 
after passing through the oil country.” 

The substance certainly looked like floating petro- 
Jeum and now that the tide was on the turn it filled 
the narrow tributary from side to side with its rain- 
bow hues. 

“We will go in there when we come back,” said 
Harry. “We don’t yet know how far we can go 
up this main stream, which we must do on a rising 
tide when we get nearer to its source.” 

Thus far nothing was seen tO’ indicate the pres- 
ence of human beings. As they advanced into the 
forest, the trees were alive with birds of brilliant 
plumage; shrill screeching of parrots mingled with 
songs of birds unknown to our voyagers. Then the 
deep drumming of pheasants came booming 
through the trees ; now and then, as one rose to take 
wing, the roar of its flight would startle all except 
Frank who well knew their habits. More than once 
he wished for his favorite breech loading shot gun. 
Yet with it all, at intervals there was a deathly still- 


84 


joe's signal code 


ness in the forest, not another living thing of any 
kind had been seen. 

If there are any four-footed animals on this 
island one reason why they should not roam around 
here would be the water. They probably would 
dislike that oil taste, and naturally would keep far- 
ther to the north," said Mr. Purdy. “ There must 
be six or eight miles of forest land between us and 
the north side of the island, affording ample feeding 
ground for a colony. As far as I am concerned I 
feel far more interested in that oil matter back there 
than in anything this country can turn out in the 
menagerie line." 

They were now moving through water as clear 
as crystal; beneath them they could see numbers of 
fish darting about over the hard, gravelly bottom, 
which was gradually getting nearer. The influence 
of the tides at this point was such that they might 
advance for another mile with safety, but it was 
painfully evident that their search would not be 
rewarded by any trace of the missing crew. 

I am now convinced they are not on this island, 
and had my doubts on that point before we made 
our first trip," said Harry. “ You remember the 
last we saw of them was when they were about two 
miles to the south. It was just about the time that 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 85 

the steam made such a commotion and was showing 
itself outside of the decks for a moment or two 
during a temporary lull in the wind. They were 
then trying to make the Meteor, which had re- 
sponded to our signals.’^ 

“ Let us hope they did,” said Frank. 

If they reached her in safety there will be some 
sad news cabled from Melbourne to New York!” 

said Mr. Purdy. “ I wish, — I hope my ” And 

the usually imperturbable man buried his face in his 
hands, leaving unfinished the sentence which the 
others only toO' well understood. 

They had seen his lovely wife and little daughter 
on board a few days before sailing, looking at the 
vessel in which their dear one was to journey so 
far away. They had noticed the childlike affection 
that existed between the members of that little fam- 
ily. They, too, had seen that devoted pair wave a 
last adieu from the landing stairs at the Battery, as 
the tug left there to reach the Katharine that was 
then passing out, and then as that party reached 
the deck they saw a rapid interchange of signals 
made across that water by the motion of the hands, 
telegraphing through space silently and quickly the 
last words of farewell and love. Ever since the 
almost miraculous escape of the Katharine from 


86 


joe's signal code 


destruction they had been busy, still having much 
to do, and so did not give any thought tO' the outside 
world, but now in the stillness of that lonely forest 
the thought came home to them that the dire news 
must sooner or later reach New York, telling that 
the ship was destroyed by lightning, burning in the 
height of a hurricane, passengers and part of crew 
lost. They realized the effect of the sad news upon 
their friends, and all this would come tO' pass within 
the next few weeks and they would be unable to pre- 
vent it. 

No wonder now that the man of iron nerve 
buried his face and groaned aloud. He, whom they 
had seen standing on the deck only seeing tremen- 
dous energy going tO' waste in the angry lightning 
bolts, when the very crew stood in silent awe, or 
when waves of extraordinary height threatened the 
vessel, it was only their dynamic force that was no- 
ticed by this man, cool and at ease in the most try- 
ing situations, his nerve never failing him; now at 
the thought of the dire intelligence that would in- 
evitably be flashed under the very ocean to the dear 
ones at home, Robert Purdy for the moment was 
overcome. 

For a while there was not a word spoken; the 
Edna was again headed down stream, there being 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 87 

now no reason for continuing any further. The 
remainder, if necessary, could be done at some later 
period. In a short time they reached the incoming 
creek from which came the oil-covered waters. 
There was no reversion to the painful subject that 
had been uppermost in their minds a little while 
back. Harry steered the boat into the narrow 
waters, almost too narrow for navigation, but with 
sounding stick constantly in use, Frank found water 
enough for safe running for some distance, when 
suddenly he called out — 

** There’s our oil spring ! ” And right ahead of 
them they saw descending the rocky bank of the 
creek a stream of brown colored liquid which they 
at once recognized as crude petroleum. They had 
detected the heavy, gaseous odor in the air as they 
approached it. Fastening the boat to the bank, they 
ascended it a few yards to the top and beheld a 
sight that filled them with astonishment. A cir- 
cular pond of about twenty feet diameter lay before 
them, filled almost brim full of crude oil of a brown- 
ish cast. On the side nearest the creek, it had 
found its way through the stone until it apparently 
had worn a singularly regular opening and then 
flowed in sheets into the creek. Almost in the 
center there was a boiling similar to any other 


88 


joe's signal code 


spring. Frank inserted his sounding rod and found 
a depth of about four feet when he stood. While 
he was doing this Mr. Purdy measured the size of 
the stream at the overflow, estimating that there 
was escaping at least five gallons a minute; counting 
fifty gallons to the barrel would make about six 
barrels an hour, or say in round numbers one hun- 
dred and fifty barrels a day, which was probably 
a very moderate estimate. How long this wonder- 
ful flow had been going on they could only con- 
jecture. Perhaps for ages and they may have been 
the first human beings that ever saw it. 

If the ‘ Standard ' knew this they would have 
a branch pipe line put in at once and be giving us 
oil certificates instanter! ” said Frank. “ Now Mr. 
Purdy, you who would economize wasted natural 
forces of sky and sea, here is something more tan- 
gible to work on." 

“True!” responded he, “here is an enormous 
waste, but one thing I dO' see, that is, we will not 
need for naphtha or gasoline for our little craft now. 
We can easily make a still if it’s necessary, and do 
some oil refining on our own account. We have 
all the necessary pipes and material on the ship, 
although at our present rate of consumption, what 
we have will last quite a while.” 


DISCOVERING NATURAL TREASURE 89 

For some distance around the spring, the ground 
was destitute of trees or undergrowth, while to the 
north of them a distance of about a hundred yards 
the forest began stretching away up the slope. 

‘'No wonder the bay on the south side of the 
island is so smooth, and yet it could have led us to 
destruction had we drifted in there, for you notice 
there are scarcely any breakers falling on the shore 
like on the east of the Cape where they roared so 
loud that night,’' said Harry. 

“ I want to take a sample of this oil back with 
us,” said Mr. Purdy, running down to the yacht for 
a small bottle he had seen in one of the lockers. 
Filling it, he remarked that it had a remarkable 
body, the finest he had ever seen. 

“ This spring in Pennsylvania would be a fortune 
to the owner,” said he, “ and that reminds me, 
Harry, that we haven’t as yet taken possession of 
this island in the name of Uncle Sam.” 

“ Which we will do to-morrow, with all due cere- 
mony!” rejoined Harry. 

“ I guess there’s no necessity for putting up a 
sign ‘No Smoking’ here, is there?” said Frank, 
and added, “ I don’t see any danger from fire.” 

“ If it did take fire,” said Mr. Purdy, “ there 
would be a sight that would astonish the natives, if 


90 


joe's signal code 


there are any, and besides that it would be a pity to 
see it go up in fire.” 

“ Just as if it wasn’t running out to sea all the 
time,” responded Frank slyly, as they turned for 
home. 


CHAPTER XIII 


TAKING POSSESSION IN THE NAME OF THE 
UNITED STATES 

Toby welcomed them back with loud barks of joy, 
which brought Andy and Joe from the hold where 
they had been putting matters to rights. 

“What news?’" called out Joe. • 

“None! Our poor fellows never made this 
island. I hope they gained the Meteor. There were 
good men in charge of the boats, and it may be they 
are all right now,'' said Harry. 

“ By the way, Joe! " he added, when the others 
were out of hearing, “ don't say anything to Mr. 
Purdy about home, just now at least. After supper 
we shall have much to talk about and to-morrow 
you will go ashore with us." 

Joe's eyes beamed with delight at this for he had 
been looking at the shore with the ship’s glass and 
now and then would call Andy's attention to objects 
of interest that fell into its range. 

When supper was over the party gathered on the 
after deck and, as had been their custom, discussed 
the events of the day, or laid plans for the future. 

91 


92 


joe's signal code 


“ To-morrow/’ said Harry, “ we want to ex- 
plore thoroughly the southern channel through 
which we were driven by the storm to see whether 
we can work the Katharine out into open water and 
make a port. Our charts were destroyed by light- 
ning and the instruments were lost in the boats. 
After this is done we will try to ascentain our posi- 
tion, if possible, or at least as near as we can, and 
then if time remains, we will name and take formal 
possession of the island. All of us will be engaged 
in this work as the ship’s small boat can be used in 
conjunction with the Edna. If we cannot get out we 
must devise some means of getting word to the 
nearest port, if it is not too far away, but that will 
be determined later.” 

The whole party retired early for there was much 
to be done and now that the weather was favorable, 
it was well to take advantage of it. 

The following morning, the small boat with Andy 
and Harry was taken in tow by the Edna, in which 
were the remainder of the party, and the convoy 
started for the channel, about one-half mile to the 
south, leaving Toby alone on the vessel, an arrange- 
ment much to his dislike; he barking his disap- 
proval loudly as the boats were leaving. The tide 
was nearly out when the boats reached their destr 


TAKING POSSESSION 


93 


nation, it being desired to make all soundings at low 
water. The actual channel itself between the first 
islet and the main land was only about three hundred 
yards in length and about two hundred feet wide, but 
a hidden reef existed on the western side that nar- 
rowed it down considerably. This reef was just vis- 
ible at low tide and then was nearly awash with the 
sea. 

Soundings were made and careful measure- 
ments taken from which the whole channel was 
charted, when it was plainly seen that there was but 
one way for the vessel tO' escape. She would have 
to be towed out by a strong and reliable steam 
vessel and that of itself must not be a large craft. 
When this became apparent a dead silence fell over 
the party which was only broken by the order to go 
back to the ship. 

It strikes me we might find a passage through 
some of the other openings,’' said Mr. Purdy, 
pointing to the north. 

We will try all of them,” said Harry, but 
from the observations made a few days ago, when 
we tried the Edna, I am afraid they will not avail 
us. An ordinary steam tug would be the thing now. 
Had it not been for the gale driving us just as it 
did, we could not have gotten farther than the en- 


94 joe's signal code 

trance before we mnst have struck. We cannot 
warp her through, nor yet tow." 

When the Katharine was reached the boat was 
left there and Toby taken along with the whole 
party, who were now in the Edna, there being room 
for all. Apparently the best place for landing was 
at the mouth of the creek that had been explored 
when the Edna returned from the trip around the 
island. They coasted along the shore, seeing many 
interesting trees and plants amid the world of trop- 
ical verdure. There were fruits of all kinds, most 
of which Harry recognized, having seen them at 
different points throughout the East Indies. After 
a run of about four miles they rounded into the 
creek which was quite wide at its mouth with a good 
depth of water extending inland for some distance. 
Here, on a gentle grassy slope extending down from 
the forest line tO' the pebbly beach, the company 
landed and secured the yacht. Taking a small 
American flag in his right hand, Mr. Purdy held 
it aloft and took possession of the land in the name 
of the United States of America. Then there was a 
cheer given and the United States was the owner of 
an Eastern island, the first in its history. 

“We will get an appropriation passed for the 
‘ Committee on Harbors and Channels ’ to have 


TAKING POSSESSION 


95 


that passage widened, after which we shall have 
the finest harbor in the world,” said Mr. Purdy. 
“ Just think of an island like this that may be turned 
into a paradise, with a natural breakwater guarding 
it from the ocean. Why ! our white squadron could 
ride in safety here and occupy only a small corner, 
and as to defense, nature has already fortified it on 
three sides, and we could hold the fourth against all 
comers with sufficient artillery.” 

As it was now noon all the provisions were 
brought out and a good dinner was served by Andy 
and Joe who had gotten most of it ready the day 
before. While this was being prepared, Frank, ac- 
companied by Toby, strolled out into the wood. 
They heard the report of his fowling piece a few 
times and shortly afterward he rejoined the party 
bringing with him two fine pheasants and a brace 
of partridges. He reported the woods full of birds 
of all kinds, but not a sign of a beast of any descrip- 
tion could be seen. 

Leaving Andy to watch at the mouth of the creek, 
the yacht was then headed up the stream which, for 
some distance, showed a good depth of water, quite 
enough to anchor ships of almost any draught. In 
addition to this, after leaving the mouth a few 
hundred yards, the banks arose to a height of about 


96 joe's signal code 

ten or twelve feet, affording a snug berth for several 
vessels if necessary. Toby barked approvingly as 
the boat glided along, awaking many shrill 
screeches and squawks from parrots and other feath- 
ered inhabitants of the forest. Some of these birds 
were resplendent with plumage of many brilliant 
colors. Now and then a beautiful flamingo would 
rise from the water and wing its way into the ad- 
joining wood or down the stream. 

“ That bird ! " said Frank, besides being a beau- 
tiful creature in appearance, has more advantages 
than other birds; it is a good flyer, an excellent 
swimmer and an equally good runner, and now, 
while I think of it, we didn’t see any over on the 
west side, for it’s quite likely that the oil there is 
distasteful to them, but I rather think when we once 
explore the country that slopes away to the north- 
west we shall meet with animal life that we have as 
yet not seen. There is quite a large area there.” 

“ A good many square miles, I should say,” 
added Mr. Purdy, “ and if we roughly estimate the 
island fifteen miles long by eight in width there 
would be about one hundred and twenty square 
miles, of which we have thus far seen but a small 
fraction.” 

By this time the yacht had reached the head of 



' Approx / j— *y 15 S 

\ Long. ^2° 15 E. 


S 




TAKING POSSESSION 


97 


the navigable waters, where there was still several 
feet of depth. At this point the water descended 
a rocky slope from an upper level, making a magni- 
ficent picture as it foamed and tossed, now forming 
small cascades, then swishing around big black 
bowlders to meet and part again in wild riot with 
other waters that were dashing down into the 
stream below. The creek at this point was about 
twenty feet wide and evidently felt the influence of 
the tides up to the cascade to the extent of a few feet 
of rise and fall. 

“ Do you notice there is a different tone to the 
fall of to-day ? ” said Harry. “ When we were in 
here before the tone was deeper and now I see it is 
caused by the difference in the last leap of the water. 
We were in at low tide that time.’’ 

Let’s call it the ‘ Singing Falls,’ ” said Joe, who 
was delighted with the beautiful scene. 

“Agreed,” said all in concert, and it was so 
named. 

“ Mr. Geographer,” said Harry, addressing Mr. 
Purdy, “ you will please make note of this when 
your map is made.” 

Having secured the boat to the shore the whole 
party made the ascent to the higher level from 
whence came the water. They had noticed as they 


98 joe's signal code 

coasted along the shore that, extending about a half- 
mile back from the beach, the land made a sudden 
rise and showed a plateau trending to the north and 
west as far as their limited vision could discern. It 
was tO' this upland that they were now ascending. 
It was not over one hundred and fifty feet high ver- 
tically but on the slope it may have been twice as 
far. They found the way singularly free from bowl- 
ders such as they saw in the bed of the descending 
stream and in a short time reached the top. 

Joe was there first; as he gained the top he 
shouted in ecstasy to the others tO' hurry along to see 
the pretty lake. There was a spontaneous exclama- 
tion of surprise as the party caught sight of the 
beautiful body of water that gave birth to the 
stream flowing down the slope. It was probably 
four hundred yards in width and was studded with 
small green islets, upon which were growing beau- 
tiful trees, the foliage of some of them hanging 
down to the crystal waters beneath. The sun 
shining through the thousands of leafy openings 
made a picture that can hardly be described. In 
the waters were numbers of beautiful fish darting 
hither and thither, now in the shadow, again flash- 
ing like gold in the sunlight, adding still more 
beauty to the picture. As far back as could be seen 


TAKING POSSESSION 


99 


through the trees extended the polished surface of 
the waters, upon the bosom of which were sporting 
numerous fowls almost unmindful of the presence 
of man. For a few minutes not a word was said. 
It seemed as if they had suddenly stepped into a 
fairy land where everything seemed to wear na- 
ture’s brightest garb. The water was so clear that 
the smallest pebble was visible, though the depth 
was several feet. Crossing over to the northern side 
they followed the waters for about a quarter of a 
mile to the head of the lake where they found it 
fed by some small streams from the mountain 
slope. 

I think we shall see four-footed game here if 
there is any on the island,” said Frank. He had 
scarcely uttered the words before a beautiful, 
spotted deer dashed out from a copse just across the 
lake and made for the forest, then another and still 
another followed with Toby in full pursuit, their 
taper hoofs scarcely touching the earth before they 
seemed to rebound. Frank nervously handled his 
Winchester but forbore from firing for the reason 
that they could not care for any large game at that 
time and besides it would have been refined cruelty 
to kill an animal simply for the reason that it was 
game. Frank Miller never did this; although one 
LofC. 


100 joe's signal code 

of the finest trap shots in the country he never 
would fire at live pigeons for sport. 

“ I knew/’ said he, “ that with pure water we 
should find larger game. The next thing for us to 
consider is whether there are any of a dangerous 
character. There may be such as well as these 
harmless deer.” 

Harry now proposed that, as it was growing well 
into the afternoon, they should go back to the yacht 
and take a look at the different passages through the 
outer chain of islands as they returned to the ship. 
The party then retraced their steps along the lake. 
Mr. Purdy remarked that there was a regularity 
among the rocks forming the breast of the overflow 
that he could not account for. They seemed as if 
they had been carefully placed there. Leaving the 
plateau they descended the slope and once more 
were moving down the stream with the ebbing tide, 
which was already half out. As they approached 
the mouth of the creek, Joe noticed some large, 
dark objects lying on a bank of sand and gravel 
extending out into the stream for several feet. 

“ What are they ? ” 

They are oysters ! ” said Harry, giving the 
wheel a turn bringing them alongside. Then re- 
versing the screw the boat was brought to a stand- 


TAKING POSSESSION 10 1 

still for a moment while about one-half dozen were 
taken into the boat. 

‘'Are they good to eat?” asked Joe. 

“Well, no! they are rather coarse and may not 
be very appetizing, but we will take these along. 
I want you to examine them when we get them on 
the vessel.” 

Joe’s eyes glistened at the thought. 

“ Why not take more? ” 

“ These will do for samples,” said Harry. “ If 
you are successful we can run down for more and 
you see there are lots of them.” 

By this time the mouth of the creek was reached 
and Andy was taken aboard once more. Harry 
had just given the word to start the engine when 
the sound of some animal was heard inshore rushing 
along through the undergrowth, apparently after 
the boat. Frank and Mr. Purdy seized their rifles 
and made ready for it, but all burst into a laugh 
when Toby made his appearance and protested 
loudly against being left behind. Up to this time 
they had not noticed his absence. He had gone 
after the deer and of course had been outrun after 
a long chase. He was taken in and soon curled him- 
self up in a corner pretty well worn out with his 
unusual exertions. The yacht then headed for the 


102 


joe's signal code 


largest inlet at the northern end of the bay. This 
was found to be utterly impracticable on account of 
an elbow in the channel. Then running through it 
to the outer sea, they took another look along the 
rocky northern shore. Returning to the inside they 
examined each opening carefully when the truth 
finally dawned upon them that there was but one 
route by which to escape, and they were not able 
to move the vessel through it with their little crew. 
At the last islet they picked up all the eggs they 
needed and then returned to the ship tired out and 
hungry. After supper all retired early for a good 
rest from the fatigue of the day. 


CHAPTER XIV 


BEACONS AND BUOYS 

The following day was the Sabbath and was 
observed as a day of rest by our voyagers. After 
the services of the morning, in which they invoked 
the care of their Heavenly Father in their trouble, 
the rest of the time was spent in doing such simple 
duties as were required by the ship’s care, while the 
remainder of the time was spent in quiet. That 
evening the plans for the coming morrow were dis- 
cussed, after which they retired for the night. The 
sun arose out of the eastern ocean the following 
morning and promised another pleasant day, as 
had been the case ever since they had been cast upon 
the island. It was now drawing toward the middle 
of January, the summer in the southern zones. The 
weather was delightful, ocean breezes tempering the 
natural heat of the atmosphere to such an extent 
that there was but little discomfort experienced from 
it. Generally at sunrise all were on deck, ready for 

the duties of the day. Joe was now showing the 
103 


104 joe's signal code 

effects of the healthy out-door life of the island. The 
pale schoolboy that embarked on the Katharine some 
months before was now a sun-browned, red-cheeked 
boy, overflowing with good health and animal spir- 
its. He had learned much of the routine of the 
ship’s work, and was able tO' take his place in 
watches for ordinary service, the same as a man. 
Harry had given him a good insight intO' nautical 
calculations, so that, in an emergency, the boy could 
help himself very creditably. Mr. Purdy had laid 
out a course of simple electrical studies for him, 
pending their stay on the island, which would give 
him a practical knowledge of the science as far as it 
might be applied to- ships Or ordinary domestic pur- 
poses. These were to begin as soon as the island 
was thoroughly explored, and beacons erected on 
the most prominent points on the coast, so that pass- 
ing vessels would be attracted. Thus the boy's 
education was to be completed by practical expe- 
rience in those things that would be most useful in 
after life. 

“ Mr. Purdy, please come here! — I would like you 
to look at these oysters we gathered day before yes- 
terday,” said the boy. ‘‘ Just look at that big fellow 
with his shell open. Do you know why Harry had 
us gather them? I don’t think they are good to 


BEACONS AND BUOYS 10$ 

eat,” said he, with a laugh, “ even if there is an 
' R ' in this month.” 

‘‘ No! I am pretty sure he didn’t want them for 
our larder, Joe. In fact they seem to have been for- 
gotten after we threw them into that pail. Just take 
that fellow out and open it; I have an idea it will 
surprise you I ” 

Joe procured a piece of thin iron and pried apart 
the shells of the mollusk, which were of unusual 
size. 

“ Now take your knife and cut it loose from the 
lower shell,” said Harry, who had come to see the 
operation. Joe did as he was requested. 

There’s something hard in it,” said he, and then 
out it rolled. 

'' A pearl,” said he excitedly, ‘‘ it’s as large as 
a small marble.” 

And so it was; a beautiful pearl, delicately pink 
tinted, perfect in shape. 

'' Well ! my boy,” said Harry, ‘‘ if you had this 
in New York to-day you would get so large a sum 
of money for it that you would be amazed. In other*^ 
words there is a fortune lying down there in the 
creek that will be ample for all of us, but what avails 
that for us now? We had far better try to get our- 
selves in communication with the outer world first.” 


io6 joe's signal code 

“Amen!” said Mr. Purdy, who had stood smil- 
ing at Joe’s eagerness as he opened the remainder 
of the oysters. “We can begin our signal system 
to-day, as we decided upon last evening. The pearls 
may wait awhile.” 

Joe found two more fine specimens, which he 
carefully put away, and then joined the boats that 
were being put into- readiness for the work. First 
the main channel must be marked by three beacons 
placed on the islands in such a manner as to attract 
the attention of passing vessels. These were to con- 
sist of stout poles about six inches in diameter and 
fifteen feet long, sunk into the ground or piled 
around with rocks so as to be firmly set. On each 
of these was a cross-arm, pointing along the line 
of the passage. These arms were painted white, so 
as to be easily seen from seaward. Then there were 
four floating buoys constructed from a piece of spar, 
about five feet long and four inches thick, painted 
red and white. They were fastened to a chain that 
was in turn secured to some pieces of pig iron taken 
from the ship’s ballast, and then anchored along 
the channel. When completed, these spars stood 
out of the water a couple of feet, and showed a safe 
entrance for a smaller vessel than the Katharine, 
This work took more than a day in preparation and 


BEACONS AND BUOYS 10/ 

it was only on the third day that the channel was 
fully marked. 

The next beacon was to be raised, if possible, on 
the summit of the mountain, as they now called it. 
This involved a few days’ work, but our voyagers 
were anxious to get at it as soon as possible, as the 
point was no doubt visible for a large radius ex- 
tending many miles seaward. An expedition to 
the summit was started out the following morning. 
Mr. Purdy desired to remain with Andy on the ves- 
sel, wishing to complete his map of the island as far 
as their present data would permit. Shortly after 
sunrise the Edna, with Andy as engineer, was swiftly 
plowing the still waters of the bay, with Harry, 
Frank, and Joe as passengers, bound for the shore 
almost opposite the point at which the Katharine 
was anchored. Leaving the yacht, which Andy took 
back to the ship, the party proceeded across the 
grassy lowlands lying between the beach and the 
base of the elevation, a distance of a few hundred 
yards, and then entered the forest. Toby, who now 
regarded himself an indispensable part of the 
party, was already in advance, beating the bush, 
much to the terror of numerous pheasants and other 
game birds, with which the woods abounded. The 
route selected wound around the mountain and at 


Io8 JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 

its best was somewhat rough. The forest covered 
the elevation to the summit, where the party ar- 
rived in a few hours, without any noteworthy ad- 
venture, halting at the edge of a circular plateau 
of apparently some hundreds of yards in diameter, 
but overgrown with palms and kindred under- 
growth to such an extent that it seemed almost im- 
possible to erect anything that would be visible. Ad- 
vancing toward the center they suddenly came to 
a large mound-like elevation, surmounted by not 
more than a dozen palm trees of small diameter. 

“There’s just what we want ! ” said Frank. “ Na- 
ture couldn’t have been more accommodating than 
that. I am of the opinion that if we cut away all 
but that one near the center of the group, we 
shall have a signal post already planted and all 
we shall have to do is to complete it with our 
beacon.” 

“Very good! it couldn’t be better for us,” said 
Harry. “ Now while you and Joe are taking a rest 
I will climb the one we have selected and see the 
lay of the land.” 

Then taking a stout strap and thong that they 
had brought with them, he passed it loosely about 
the trunk of the tree, leaving enough space to get 
inside; drawing it up to his armpits, he easily 


BEACONS AND BUOYS IO9 

ascended in the manner of the natives he had seen in 
the East. 

“ The view from up there is magnificent! ’’ said 
he, when he had returned to the ground. “ Almost 
every point in the island could be seen if some of 
these trees were out of the way, but the main object 
is to have a clear sight for the beacon which will 
be visible out at sea from the southern and eastern 
sides.” 

Counting, he said there would be about twenty 
trees to chop down from the slope, and probably 
more, before it stood clear. They had brought with 
them two axes, and commenced at once with the 
lower trees, taking care to throw them outwardly, 
so as not to interfere with the others. By noon they 
had cut down six and then the tired workmen stopped 
for their dinner, which Joe had gotten ready. 

When their repast was finished they worked un- 
til a considerable opening was made, and then re- 
turned to the shore below, without further incident. 

Mr. Purdy met them with the Edna, assuring 
them that their work was already apparent from the 
ship. 

‘‘ To-morrow,” said Harry, we will have the 
whole party at work and will finish the job in a 
couple of days, and when that is done we will cross 


no joe's signal code 

the interior to the north and west sides and erect 
similar signals, for it will be necessary to do this 
if we expect to have mariners call here.” 

That evening Mr. Purdy had ready for the tired 
workers a tempting supper of turtle soup, one hav- 
ing been captured by Andy during the day, fresh 
eggs, and tea, together with some choice canned 
meats, and they all enjoyed it so much that a vote 
of thanks was tendered him and Andy for their suc- 
cessful culinary feat. 

The following day, leaving Joe and Toby in 
charge of the ship, the party made an early start 
and by afternoon Joe could see the signal standing 
out boldly, ready to give notice to any passing mar- 
iners that the island was inhabited and assistance 
was wanted. Sunday being near at hand the expe- 
ditions to the western and northern sides of the 
island were deferred and preparations were made 
to move the Katharine further up the bay to the 
mouth of the creek, as it was a more desirable anchor- 
age, and would keep the ship most of the time in 
fresh water, which would be better for her. Steam 
was gotten up in the boiler and the anchor hoisted. 
Placing Andy at the wheel, the others made enough 
sail to carry the vessel up the bay. Like a living 
thing the Katharine took the light breeze and grace- 


BEACONS AND BUOYS 


I 1 1 

fully swung around to the north and then moved 
away from her old anchorage, headed for the creek 
that fell into the bay about four miles further up 
the coast. In about half an hour the ship arrived 
off the mouth of the stream and was anchored with- 
in one hundred yards of shore. The position here 
was more desirable in many ways. They had plenty 
of good fresh water from the creek and in case of 
storm the vessel could be worked into the mouth 
itself, lying snugly between its elevated banks. The 
rainy season, with its storms would be along in a 
few months, so it was well to be prepared. 

Mr. Purdy reported that the Edna had now used 
one barrel of naphtha, and that it would be wise to 
see about getting a new supply soon. He promised 
to make an oil still which could be taken around to 
the oil creek and placed in operation, giving them 
both naphtha and coal oil, which they could readily 
distill from the crude petroleum obtained from the 
great spring on the south side. Joe swung his hat 
and went through the pantomime of cheering when 
he heard this. He had been looking with anxious 
eyes at the fast-disappearing supply in the barrels, 
for when that was used the Edna would have to go 
out of commission for want of fuel, and now, 
here was an inexhaustible supply right at hand. 


CHAPTER XV 


FURTHER EXPLORATIONS 

While the rest were engaged in getting mate- 
rials for the oil still, Harry sent Joe and Andy up 
the creek with the small boat, where they secured 
a large lot of pearl oysters. These they loaded into 
,the dingy and then brought down to the mouth of 
the stream, where they took them out on land, leav- 
ing them there to be opened at some future time, 
it being much less trouble, although more disagree- 
able to the sense of smell to do this after they com- 
menced to decay. 

It was well for the castaways that the ship re- 
quired but little care beyond keeping the hull and 
rigging in good condition. Thus far the weather 
had been perfect, but all knew that the rainy sea- 
son would be coming on and still there was plenty 
to do before it opened. Now that the Edna would 
need fuel sooner or later, the fact was brought home 
to them that just as soon as the northern and west- 
beacons were placed in position, the fuel must 

II2 


ern 


FURTHER EXPLORATIONS 1 13 

be manufactured, as the handy little craft had ren- 
dered itself almost indispensable. There were 
about seventy-five gallons left from the three bar- 
rels, which would be enough for a few weeks’ use, 
but it was desired to have enough for the entire 
rainy season stowed away on shore, safe from dan- 
ger, so that the oil refinery must commence opera- 
tions soon. Promptly at sunrise the following day, 
the party were ready to set out, leaving Mr. Purdy 
in charge of the ship at his own request, as he 
wished to examine the waterfall at the head of the 
creek, with a view of procuring power from it for 
different uses on board of the vessel. In addition to 
this, he wanted to devise some methods of sending 
word to the outside world if it were possible. The 
party started, after having an early breakfast, Mr. 
Purdy taking them to the falls with the Edna. Each 
one was well armed for the trip. They carried with 
them also tools and nails with which to make their 
signals. 

Bidding Mr. Purdy good-by, the party ascended 
to the higher ground and skirted along the lake, pro- 
ceeding in a northwesterly direction toward the 
coast. In a direct line this should be reached in 
about four miles after leaving the lake, the route 
lying through a forest abounding with tropical 


joe's signal code 


1 14 

trees of all kinds, among which they found the date 
palm, the bread fruit and cocoanut in abundance. 
Frank also pointed out the sago palm as they went 
slowly along. Andy found the mangosteen fruit 
and brought it in for the party in abundance. In 
this way the travelers moved leisurely, seeing new 
wonders at almost every step. The brilliant plum- 
age of many varieties of birds seemed, at times, to 
flash like colored flames, as they flew from tree to 
tree. Harry warned Joe not to eat anything, how- 
ever tempting and innocent it might look, without 
first calling his attention to it, for in this Eden 
there were some fruits that were poisonous in their 
effects. Suddenly Toby dashed forward with a loud 
barking; in an instant the trees in front of them 
became the refuge of a lot of monkeys, squealing 
and chattering as they looked down from the 
branches in such a comical way that the whole party 
laughed heartily at the sight. 

“ Now, then ! ” said Joe, “ at last we have dis- 
covered the inhabitants of the island, but they seem 
an inhospitable crowd. Look at them glaring at 
Toby,” who was standing up on his hind legs at one 
of the trees, barking loudly at the strange creatures, 
seemingly delighted at the terror he created among 
them, but he suddenly changed his belligerent at- 


RTHER EXPLORATIONS 


II5 

titi a hasty retreat as a solemn looking 

ok irew a piece of dead wood at him, 

w A^as imitated by the others to such an 

e ne explorers were glad to get away 

^ i hit. 

to capture one some time,” said Joe, 
him; he will be company for us when 
-eason comes on.” 

time they had gotten almost two miles 
forest, their progress being necessarily 
account of the undergrowth and fallen 
hey carefully “ blazed ” their way as they 
>ng, SO as to be able to retrace their steps 
a compass. Deer were often seen as the^ 
d into the forest from large openings upon 
wniLix they had been feeding, but they were not dis- 
turbed. Joe's attention was drawn to some beauti- 
ful butterflies, whose wings were powdered with 
grains of golden green and dotted with crescent- 
like spots of gorgeous color that caught the 
sun's rays like colored spangles. These handsome 
insects abounded in the forest in such variety that 
he was tempted to commence making a collection of 
specimens by trying to capture a fine large one that 
fluttered away from him and settled on an adjoin- 
ing bush, and instantly disappeared from right be- 


ii6 joe's signal code 

fore his eyes, although he was positive he saw the 
exact place it settled. It was not long before he 
saw another and carefully following it he saw it 
alight as before, and melt away from sight in an 
instant. 

“Well, that beats me!" said Frank, who had 
seen them vanish in both instances. “ It’s more like 
magic than nature. Let’s try it again.’’ 

They did not need to wait long before another 
was winging its way ahead of them, pressed by Joe, 
who was preparing tO' capture it. Down it settled 
on a twig and almost as quickly passed from sight, 
but this time, Frank, never taking his eyes from 
the point where it alighted, placed his hand on the 
twig and examined it. There were a few dead 
leaves upon it, but a close examination showed them 
that one of them was the mysterious insect, which 
nature had endowed with the faculty of simulating 
a dead leaf so that it deceived its enemies, and thus 
protected itself. Harry, who had seen this same spe- 
cies in Java, and knew their habits, laughed heartily 
at the puzzled pair, well knowing what the result 
would be. Beyond seeing the deer, the travelers 
saw no animals worthy of remark, although Harry 
cautioned the party against straying away for fear 
there might be some dangerous beasts lurking in 


FURTHER EXPLORATIONS 1 17 

the forest; nor up to this time had they seen a sign 
of any reptile, which might readily infest a country 
such as this was. Not much time was taken for 
observation on this trip, so that by noon on that 
day they suddenly came out on the cliffs that formed 
the rocky coast on the northern and western sides 
of the island. 

They had arrived at the highest point; Frank 
readily recognized some places along the coast which 
they had passed on their trip around the island with 
the Edna. Before leaving the lake they had taken 
the precaution to fill improvised canteens with its 
pure water, for they did not know the country be- 
yond. It was well they did so, for there was none 
found in the last mile they traveled, and it was not 
likely there was any in the immediate neighbor- 
hood of the cliff. Dinner being over, a suitable 
spot for the beacon was selected, it being fortunately 
found on the extreme northwestern corner of the 
island, and when in place would be visible from 
the west and north. 

“ If we put up a suitable one here,’' said Harry, 
“ it will be visible for very many miles out at sea, 
and if I am not mistaken in the size of the island, 
a ship coming from the west or south can see this 
signal and that on the mountain at the same time.” 


ii8 joe's signal code 

Then climbing a tree on the edge of the forest 
that extended near to the cliffs, he called out that 
there was an uninterrupted view from there to the 
mountain, upon the summit of which was the other 
beacon in plain sight, about eight miles away. It 
would have taken a vast amount of labor tO' clear 
away trees enough to make an open space, so he 
proposed that a suitable tree should be selected for 
a lower part. This was readily found and trimmed 
clear of its branches on one side, leaving a stout one 
for a rest. Then a straight young tree was chop- 
ped down and trimmed into a strong pole about 
twenty feet in length. At the upper end of this were 
placed the cross-arms while it was still lying on the 
ground. This pole, when ready for hoisting, 
weighed about two hundred pounds. With the aid 
of a strong little rope they had brought with them, 
it was finally brought to a perpendicular position 
against the tree and temporarily secured to it, while 
the rope was passed over an upper limb and down 
to the foot of the pole. It took the united strength 
of the party to hoist it, but slowly it ascended, be- 
ing secured as it arose, until finally it rested on the 
branch left standing for it, and then, when firmly 
lashed to the main trunk, it had a mast-like ap- 
pearance, firm and effective. When it was at last 


FURTHER EXPLORATIONS I IQ 

completed, the signal overtopped the highest trees 
some twelve or more feet, standing out in bold re- 
lief from the forest. It was almost too late to re- 
turn to the ship that day, so arrangements were 
made to camp for the night. Harry having divided 
the party into watches of two hours for each; it 
was passed quietly and peacefully by the tired 
workers. 


CHAPTER XVI 


MR. PURDY DISTILLS NAPHTHA 

The beacons were now all placed, if we except one 
more that might yet be placed near the mouth of 
the oil creek, at which place they would now be en- 
gaged for several days. After a good breakfast of 
ripe fruit, which had been carried with them, canned 
meat and eggs, the latter having been found in 
plenty on the ledges of the cliffs and cooked in salt 
water that Andy procured, the party made prepara- 
tions for their departure. Nor was Toby forgotten; 
Frank shot a few birds for him, which he greedily 
devoured. 

They now retraced the path of the previous day, 
well satisfied with their work, arriving at the Sing- 
ing Falls by noon. Frank signaled Mr. Purdy by 
discharging his gun, but at the same time bringing 
down enough pheasants to last them for a few meals. 
While the Edna was coming, the whole party took 
a bath in the limpid waters of the lake, refresh- 
ing themselves wonderfully after their toilsome 
120 


MR. PURDY DISTILLS NAPHTHA I2I 

journey. The yacht arrived at the foot of the cas- 
cade in a short time. Mr. Purdy welcomed them 
back to the ship where he had much to tell them. 
After dinner he produced his map and asked for 
names of the different points. The island itself 
was named after the noble river from whence the 
Katharine started, Hudson Island; Eastern Bay be- 
ing the name given to the waters in which they 
now were. Western Bay were the waters to the 
west of Providence Point, into which Oil Creek 
emptied. Then there was Fairy Lake, Singing 
Falls, the Northern Forest, and Mount Hope. Thus 
far they had explored and so named them. 

At the time of the storm, Harry, Frank and Mr. 
Purdy each had the correct chronometer time on 
their watches, these latter having been wound very 
carefully ever since, and now upon comparison they 
were still practically the same. So it was agreed 
that this would be taken as standard inasmuch as 
their ship’s chronometer was rendered useless by 
lightning. From these an approximate longitude 
was obtained. Then from dead reckoning and other 
observations the latitude was fixed as nearly as pos- 
sible, the two being as follows: Latitude, 7 deg. 15 
min. south; longitude, 92 deg. 15 min. east. But 
even this left them rather in the dark, as their charts 


122 joe's signal CODE 

were so charred by the flash that they could not 
place their position with a certainty. This, how- 
ever, would be something to work upon should a 
messenger sent forth ever reach the proper hands. 

The oil still was manufactured from four light 
iron cylinders found in the cargo, which were 
closed up and towed behind the Edna, in which 
also was a lot of half-inch gas pipe. Thus 
loaded, the boat started for Western Bay, where 
it arrived in safety, then proceeding up the creek, 
the cargo was discharged and the remainder was 
sent for, with all other appurtenances. 

How will you separate the naphtha from the 
crude oil ? ” asked Joe of Mr. Purdy. 

‘‘Well!” said he, “first we will fill these cylin- 
ders with a quantity of crude oil, then close them 
with the screw caps Frank has made and connect 
the line of gas pipe which we will run through the 
creek under the water for some distance and fasten 
it to the receiving cylinder we left there. Then 
with a fire under the boilers, the crude stuff will be 
converted into vapor, which will pass into the pipe, 
and being condensed by the temperature of the water 
on the outside, it will again take a liquid from, 
which we must collect when it assumes the right 
gravity, which we must measure with a hydrometer 


MR. PURDY DISTILLS NAPHTHA 1 23 

I have made from a vial and graduated in the naph- 
tha we now have.'’ 

The four boilers were now placed in position and 
not being much larger than ordinary kitchen range 
boilers, were easily placed on a stone foundation 
plastered with clay. Under these were placed iron 
pans to contain the fire, it having been decided to 
use wood at first, as there was plenty at hand. The 
cylinders were filled for the trial and everything 
being in readiness and rendered safe as possible, the 
match was applied. It was plenty far enough from 
the spring for safety and was far enough removed 
from the small creek to avoid all risk. The only 
question now was whether there was enough eleva- 
tion to the boilers. 

After a while the cylinder retorts showed signs 
of boiling and in a few moments a light liquid, not 
much more than vapor, made its appearance at the 
receiver. Then followed the flow of another still 
heavier, both of which were run out of the waste 
cock. Shortly the flow became heavier and 
the hydrometer, which was simply a long vial 
weighted with shot to keep it floating upright, was 
placed in it and sunk to the mark placed by Mr. 
Purdy. 

‘‘ Here it is," he said, '' but we can’t expect much 


124 joe's signal code 

as it will not run long before heavier oil will come 
over." 

About forty gallons passed through when it was 
stopped. A test showed it to be all right. The ref- 
use was then drawn out of the cylinders by a pipe 
Frank had connected and led into the water and 
the cylinders again filled as soon as all vestige of 
fire was extinguished. 

Can’t that portion be used, too? ’’ asked Joe. 

Yes, indeed," said Mr. Purdy, “ that is really 
the most valuable portion, as the lubricating oils are 
the last in the retorts. They are worth ten times 
as much as naphtha, but we don’t need any now, 
and there is still another product which was at one 
time thrown away with the residue; that is, a black 
coke which, ground up, makes the best electric 
light carbons, such as are used in arc lamps. At 
first, crude petroleum was distilled only for oil for 
illuminating and an enormous quantity was thrown 
away before its value was known. Even the chew- 
ing gum, that is so extensively used, is a product of 
petroleum in the shape of paraffin wax, and this in 
turn is used extensively again in candy making, 
matches and other purposes. It’s doubtful whether 
we yet know all the uses this wonderful ‘ rock oil ' 
can be put to." 


MR. PURDY DISTILLS NAPPITHA 12$ 

A second lot was distilled and in all about two 
barrels of naphtha secured. These were placed in the 
ship’s small boat and towed back to the anchorage, 
where they were placed ashore for the present. 
They now had enough for several hundred miles 
of travel. 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 

The days and weeks came and went, with their 
various duties, until over two months had elapsed 
since the Katharine, threatened by fire and storm, 
was driven into Eastern Bay, at Hudson Island. 
During that time our voyagers had kept themselves 
engaged in making every provision for the future. 
Beacons had been set, portions of the island ex- 
plored and fuel oil discovered and turned to practi- 
cal use, and all preparations made for the storms of 
the rainy season, which they knew to be coming, 
but for which they could only wait. The ship was 
anchored off the mouth of the creek, with a cable 
extending inside and secured there, so that at the 
approach of a hurricane, with the aid of the steam 
winch, the vessel could be drawn into the cover for 
safety, and in like manner drawn out again by an 
anchor astern. The provisions were carefully noted 
with the result that, with those in cargo and the 
products of the island, which in themselves were 

126 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 


127 


sufficient, they had enough for all time. Not once 
in all this time had a sign of a sail been seen, making 
evident the truth that Hudson Island was not in the 
track of vessels going to and from the East Indies. 
That it was not of sudden volcanic formation was 
seen from its forests and water-worn rocks, and 
especially the latter, which, on the western side, 
showed that they were of a granite formation. 

The castaways realized that in all probability the 
ship was given up for lost by the sorrowing ones at 
home, and if it so happened that the crew or a por- 
tion of it were saved from the hurricane, they would, 
as soon as the opportunity occurred, send to New 
York the terrible report of the destruction of the 
ship. 

Their health was excellent. The pure air of 
the island, coupled with a healthful diet and con- 
stant occupation, gave them vigorous bodies and 
fitted them for any emergency that might arise. In 
order that a good lookout might be kept, one per- 
son was usually left aboard ship when expeditions 
were made. There was one factor in their island 
life, however, that they could not afford to over- 
look; this was the danger from piracy. -As yet they 
had not seen any indications of it, but it was well 
known that it still existed in these waters, there be- 


128 


joe's signal code 


ing many pirates that were not yet driven from the 
seas. It was thought wise to be ready for anything 
of the kind; to this end a stock of repeating rifles 
with ammunition, was taken from the cargo and 
always kept in readiness, so that a tolerably fair re- 
sistance to a much larger party could be made if 
necessary. The pearl oyster beds had been gone 
over, with the result that a fortune could be real- 
ized from what they had gathered, but it was almost 
with indifference that they were regarded now. 

Often in the still evenings, as they gathered on 
the after deck, they sat and planned and devised 
methods for their deliverance, all of which could 
be tried as soon as they could bring them into prac- 
tical use. Bottles, with an account of their situation 
securely sealed therein, were frequently taken out to 
sea and committed to its care. Some of these came 
back; one even drifted into Eastern Bay again, as 
if unwilling tO' leave the ship. Then it was that 
Joe’s ingenious mind suggested balloons, which idea 
Mr. Purdy at once grasped and put into practical 
form, so that the party was again busy on deck the 
following bright morning, sewing up an oiled silk 
material which had been cut into shape after some 
trials by Harry, and then stitched with Andy’s clever 
needle into miniature balloons, of about four feet 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 1 29 

diameter. The whole lot were then inflated with a 
plumber’s air pump to stretch them, and then 
treated to a covering of rubber dissolved in naphtha, 
and practically made gas-tight. There were four 
made, all being ready for inflation in a few days. 
Hydrogen gas was made from iron in very small 
chippings and filings placed in a solution of sulphuric 
acid and water in proportions of one of the former 
to four of the latter, it being generated in an air- 
tight cask with a discharge pipe leading to the bal- 
loon. 

By this process the hydrogen was released from 
the water and, being over fourteen times lighter 
than air, it soon found its way to the balloon, which 
it speedily inflated, giving it a pull of a few pounds, 
which was amply sufficient for the purpose designed. 
The name of the ship was painted on it in large 
white letters, so that it might be read with a good 
glass from quite a distance, in case it passed within 
range of some inhabited point. This was based 
upon the hope that even if it did not make a 
landing, it might attract some shipmaster’s atten- 
tion, if it came near enough, and, seeing the name 
Katharine” he would report it to the proper aur 
thorities, who would trace it back to the ship that 
was supposed to be irrevocably lost. The gas ap- 


130 joe's signal code 

paratus was charged and inflation was commenced. 
It did not take long; so it was decided to send one 
away at once; reserving the others for intervals of 
time that seemed best. To the little traveler was 
attached a tin can with a full account of their sit- 
uation, with instructions to forward to Captain 
Henderson at New York, at once, or to the Hong 
Kong office of the Red Cross Line, or to the near- 
est consul of any nation whatever. Waiting for a 
western wind, this was set free and soon was lost 
to sight. Would it be seen or found? They could 
only hope. 

A few days after this Mr. Purdy proposed a trip 
through the forest to the west where there was still 
a large area of country to be explored. Andy was 
detailed to remain on shipboard as he wanted to 
do some painting that was required. The party 
did not take the yacht, but started at once from the 
shore, proceeding directly to the west, all well armed 
and provided for a three days’ trip, and in high 
spirits at the prospect before them. Leaving Fairy 
Lake, where they took in a stock of water, they pro- 
ceeded in a southwesterly direction that would have 
eventually brought them out about the head of 
Oil Creek which lay several miles away, taking its 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS I3I 

rise at the westerly base of Mount Hope. This was 
moving in a new direction and for the first time our 
explorers saw this section of the island. 

Look at this singular vine,” cried Joe, pointing 
to a long slender creeper that ran along the ground 
and over stunted trees, while hanging here and there 
upon it were beautiful green pitcher-like growths 
filled with clear water. 

‘‘ The pitcher plant,” exclaimed Harry, eagerly 
examining it. Here is a plentiful supply of the 
purest water,” said he, as he poured from one of the 
beautiful green purple mottled pitchers about a 
quart of clear, sparkling fluid. These natural water- 
carriers abounded on all sides at this point. They 
drank of the water and found it excellent. Frank, 
ever thoughtful, even held one for Toby to drink 
from, and the dog lapped it with eagerness, for the 
day was warm and he kept himself busily en- 
gaged as they progressed through the forest. They 
saw numerous troops of monkeys and often paused 
to watch their wonderful antics on the trees. Toby 
especially seemed to arouse their ire as he loudly 
barked at them. They would grow bolder at times, 
hanging by their long tails just above him, making 
the most ridiculous grimaces. 


132 JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 

“ I wonder whether there are any orang-outangs 
here,” said Frank. “ This would be the country in 
which they would be likely to be found.” 

“ There might be some,” said Mr. Purdy, 
though I think we should have seen them ere this. 
These creatures, though very strong and dangerous, 
when cornered, are comparatively harmless in the 
freedom of the forest. It would seem almost like 
killing a human being tO' shoot one, as do some 
naturalists. For my part, Fll not feel badly if we 
don’t see them, for there is certainly animal life 
enough on the island that we have seen thus far 
to make it a wonderful place.” 

What puzzles me,” said Frank, “ is, how did 
these animals get here? There is no land within 
fifty or it may be hundreds of miles, from which they 
could migrate. The birds, of course, could fly, but 
there are varieties here that I am certain cannot 
or do not fly long distances. It sometimes seems 
to me that either this island was once a part of a 
mainland and separated by some mighty cataclysm, 
leaving such animal life as we encounter upon the 
separated part, or else it was once inhabited by a 
race that has since passed out of existence who 
stocked it as they would a park.” 

I think there is more evidence of this latter than 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 133 

of the first theory, of a great separation,” said Mr. 
Purdy. 

‘‘ Why do you think so? ” asked Harry. 

'' Well ! while you were putting up the beacon 
in the northwest, I remained on shipboard to work 
out the map and to look up some matters in regard 
to methods of communication with the outer world. 
I wanted to know something more about the size 
of Fairy Lake, so I took the yacht and steamed up 
there. You remember we had already noticed the 
regularity of the rocky wall over which descended 
the waters making the Singing Falls. I again ex- 
amined it closely and am now satisfied that the 
rocky breast holding back that water above was con- 
structed by hands of a people long since passed 
away, and that Fairy Lake is simply produced by a 
large dam that has become overgrown and rough- 
looking, built by people who wanted it to look like a 
natural cascade.” 

‘‘ Why would they dO' this? ” said Frank. “ If it 
was intended for a reservoir it could not supply any- 
thing above it, and we should hardly expect to find 
a people settling on the lower ground between the 
plateau and the shore.” 

“ I think,” said Mr. Purdy, that it was used 
both for drinking water and may be for power. 


joe's signal code 


The people who dammed that stream were a differ- 
ent race from those now inhabiting the East Indies, 
and I shall not be surprised if we find plenty more 
evidence of such work." 

“ And do you think that our beautiful island was 
once the dwelling place of people who were pos- 
sessed of intelligence and perhaps lived as we do? " 
queried Joe. 

'‘Yes! perhaps," said Mr. Purdy. "I am not 
sure of it at all, but when I further examined the 
Lake, I v/alked out along the west side from the 
overflow to the commencement where the stream 
comes in from the base of Mount Hope " 

"What did you find there?" interrupted Frank. 

" I found that there was once a broad stone ave- 
nue of what appeared to be large squared stone 
running all around the lake. The growth of years 
has so covered it, and roots have so moved the stone 
around that I could not be certain of it, but my 
belief is very strong that there once lived here a 
people who possessed some knowledge of engineer- 
ing." 

" Where could they have gone to? " asked Joe. 
" One would think they would have left some other 
evidence behind them." 

" Which we may yet find," said Mr. Purdy, " al- 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 


135 


though my theory may not be well founded. So 
much has been done, and is constantly claiming our 
attention that I forgot to mention it.'’ 

** There is still a large unexplored country be- 
tween us and our first line of march when the north- 
west beacon was erected, we may find something in 
there that may throw some light on it," said Harry. 
“ I think when we reach the summit of the ridge 
that seems to run from Mount Hope to the north- 
west, we might follow it until we see how our bea- 
con is getting along and then return in a circuitous 
route through the forest more to the north of the 
island. Then the next day’s journey might be more 
to the south." 

To this they all agreed and the party headed to 
the northwest soon after. As it was now almost 
noon and the sun was growing more oppressive, the 
party halted for their dinner and a few hours’ rest. 
A copious supply of pure water was secured from 
the ever present pitcher plant, which appeared to 
abound on this part of the island. Then there was 
bread of Frank’s baking, which all praised, some 
cold venison from a deer shot a few days previous, 
cold boiled eggs, with a dessert of mangosteens. 
After dinner the party gathered a supply of large 
pieces of dry bark, and having spread them in the 


136 joe's signal code 

shade of some large trees, they lay down for a 
noonday nap, lulled to sleep by the singing of birds 
and the leaf music of the trees as they quivered in 
the pleasant breeze. Toby alone remained awake 
and lay at Joe's feet; nothing escaping his vigilant 
eye; nor was there an unusual sound coming from 
the depths of that tropical forest that was not noted 
by him, but the party slumbered on in safety; Mr. 
Purdy being the first to wake up. It was almost 
two o’clock in the afternoon when the party again 
started on their journey with the intention of reach- 
ing the open strip on the west coast in time for any 
observations they might want to make by daylight. 
They would have about four hours tO' do this, 
having still several miles to travel, but it could 
be done leisurely. 

When they had been on their route about a half- 
hour, Harry, who was in advance, turned and sig- 
naled to the others to advance cautiously; then 
pointing to the middle branches of a fig tree ahead 
of them, they saw a most beautiful large bird. 

‘‘ The Great Bird of Paradise,” he whispered. 

The bird was somewhat larger than a good-sized 
pheasant, and sat looking away from the party un- 
conscious of their presence. Its neck and throat 
covered with scale-like feathers of brilliant emerald 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 


137 


green with deep orange plumes on either side almost 
covering its pink legs. From the tail there ex- 
tended downward two slender wire like feathers 
over two feet in length, gradually curving through- 
out their length in the shape of an inverted lyre. 
After a few moments, the magnificent creature sud- 
denly became aware of the presence of man and 
quickly flew away from the admiring observers; 
much to their regret; but Harry, knowing their 
habits, said it was quite probable that they would 
see more of them as it was likely there were plenty 
on the island where they were in safety from de- 
structive savages who hunted them for their 
plumage to be sold to traders. 

What do'they want with them? ” asked Joe. 

My boy ! said Mr. Purdy, “ the traffic in birds 
is regulated by fashion. Woman, who is often 
foremost in all good and philanthropic movements, 
is responsible for the awful destruction of these 
beautiful creatures by demanding them for orna- 
ments for hats. If governments do not step in and 
prevent the wholesale slaughter, it will simply be a 
matter of time when many of the beautiful birds 
are completely exterminated, as was the great auk 
of the northern latitudes. In just such a criminal 
manner the American bison that once roamed the 


138 


joe’s signal code 


plains in millions, were almost annihilated. The 
United States government is now protecting a small 
herd in the Yellowstone Park, while a few are 
kept elsewhere. They were sometimes shot simply 
for ‘ sport ’ by people who wanted it said ‘ they shot 
a buffalo.' This spirit of destruction and wicked 
waste of life and material has characterized the 
nineteenth century, but I am glad to say that now 
steps are being taken to remedy the evil, which not 
only threatened the destruction of the dwellers of 
the forest, but the forests themselves ! ” 

It was late in the afternoon when the party ar- 
rived at the west coast which they examined closely 
but saw nothing unusual along its rocky sides. Far 
to the north they could see their beacon outlined 
against the sky, while to the east, Mount Hope 
towered grandly, showing the beacon boldly rising 
from its extreme summit. As night would soon be 
upon them, Harry and Frank gathered dry grasses 
and palm branches with which they made up beds, 
while Mr. Purdy, assisted by Joe, prepared supper 
for the party. Again, as was their invariable 
custom, they divided into watches of two hours 
each, commencing with Joe who stood from nine 
until eleven, when he awoke Frank who, in turn, 
had the watch from eleven to one. The night was 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS 


139 


beautiful. The past full moon rose late in the even- 
ing and was now casting its rays along the western 
slopes of Mount Hope and then sending them far 
out to the deserted sea where they seemed lost in the 
blue haze. 

As Frank looked at the glorious Southern 
Cross in that hour of stillness, now dimmed by the 
lunar light, he again felt the influence of the hour 
when in the midst of the broad Atlantic, he at last 
recognized the love of a Heavenly Father. How 
the events of the past five months crowded through 
his mind ! The meeting with the disabled America 
and her passengers; the pleasant days that followed 
in Cape Town; the parting and then that farewell 
signal that Mr. Purdy so humorously said would 
apply to others than Joe. It was true he had met 
them then for the first time. Their stay at the Cape 
had been brief, but the recollection of that short 
period and the joyous anticipation of meeting again, 
together with many other pleasant memories of the 
delightful week, came crowding upon him, and now 
how changed! He imagined that they saw now 
only a fierce burning hulk in the midst of a hurri- 
cane with no eye to pity, no hand to save! Lost! 
Lost! Like a disembodied spirit that could only 
yearn for the loved one that it sees in life, they could 


140 joe's signal code 

only stand in utter helplessness and wait for deliver- 
ance. But when and how would it come, if it came 
at all? The thought almost maddened him. Why 
could not Mr. Purdy, whose master mind seemed 
to find a method for surmounting all difficulties; 
devise some means for flashing a message home- 
ward? 

They could not stay here always. The yacht 
was too frail for an ocean voyage or they 
could take it and steer east until some land was 
reached. Then he thought of Harry, faithful, 
cheerful, full of hope for their rescue or escape. 
How well he knew that the last signal sent from 
the departing tender at Cape Town could be read 
between the lines, and how Harry blushed when 
Mr. Purdy made that droll remark. Would their 
floating messengers be picked up? Or would their 
balloons be seen in that mighty area of water and 
sky? And so he stood and pondered until he could 
contain himself no longer. He started quietly 
toward the cliff to try to change the current of his 
thoughts with walking. As he passed the light 
baggage they had brought with them, he observed 
a small Bible lying on top, placed there by Harry, 
who always read a few verses before the evening 
prayers. He picked it up and opened it. In the 


THE SIGNAL BALLOONS I4I 

clear tropical moonlight, he read a verse marked by 
a turned down leaf. It was the first Bible he had 
looked into for years. It spoke the words of cheer 
from Joshua i. 5 : ‘‘I will not fail thee nor forsake 

thee. Be strong and of a good courage.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 

Frank did not wake up the next sentinel but 
remained on that silent watch until the first appear- 
ance of dawn and then lay down for an hour while 
the others were getting breakfast ready. The line 
of march was then taken up for the day, it being 
the intention to proceed leisurely to the southeast 
in the direction of the oil spring tO' see after the 
still, and then to cross over the high land on the 
northern slope of Mt. Hope and proceed to the 
vessel. The party were on the march about nine 
in the morning, Toby as usual scouring the forest 
in all directions continually doing advance duty. 
They had not gone far into the wood before Harry 
pointed out to them the sugar palm, which seemed 
to grow in abundance on this side of the island. 

“Can we get sugar from that tree?^' asked 
Joe. 

“ Yes, and wine too! replied Harry. “ We will 

come here some day and make sugar for ourselves, 
142 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 


143 


as the stock on board the vessel is running low. It 
will not take much work to extract it, but look at 
those trees,” said Harry, pointing to another clump 
of palms just beyond them, there are trees that 
will interest us probably more than these sugar 
palms.” 

It seems to me,” said Joe, that we mostly 
meet with palms, yet they have such a great variety 
of fruits.” 

‘‘ True! nature has given to the palm trees a vari- 
ety of uses that is marvelous,” said Harry, “ but 
this tree,” pointing to one in the clump rather 
thicker than the cocoanut palm, but not so tall, “ has 
no visible fruit, yet, unless I am much mistaken, 
it will provide food for one man in plenty and last 
him for a whole year.” 

‘‘ And good wholesome food, too,” said Mr. 
Purdy, who recognized it as the sago palm. 

"'How is it prepared?” asked Frank. " I am 
inclined to try this wonderful product.” 

" In order to gather and prepare this,” said 
Harry, " it will be necessary to cut down the tree 
and that one just getting ready to flower is one we 
will cut down unless we find them on the east side, 
which I think is quite probable. Just take notice 
of that spike of flowers on top of that tree to the 


144 joe's signal code 

left; that is its last effort. It will die now, having 
lived anywhere from ten to fifteen years. The 
leaves, as you see, have a strong rib in the center, 
and this rib, which is quite thick, is used often in 
place of the bamboo for building and in some re- 
spects is superior to it. To-morrow, if we can get 
the time, we will make sagO' bread and cakes that 
will be as nice as our own home bread that we have 
been making, and have the advantage of being able 
to be kept for years, if necessary. That tree, while 
a blessing in one sense of the word, is also a draw- 
back to the country where it grows plentifully." 

Why so? " asked Joe. 

Because a man needs but one or two trees for 
a whole year's food. Two men will cut down and 
prepare a tree in five days; then with the baking, 
which will take five days more, they will have 
enough food to last them six months, although it 
will keep and can be baked as wanted afterwards, 
and it is this that tends to make the natives lazy." 

What a paradise this would be for the Ameri- 
can tramp," said Frank. ‘Think of it! Only ten 
days' work for a year's board ! " 

“ My experience with tramps in the matter of 
work,” said Mr. Purdy, “ convinces me that ten min- 
utes' work would be too much for them. These 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 145 

Knights of Hard Rest would smile at your propo- 
sition and give the island a wide berth.” 

The party had by this time reached the more open 
country to the south and in due time arrived at the 
oil spring, which was still bubbling up in the center 
as it may have done from time immemorial. Mr. 
Purdy made some measurements, proving that the 
basin was a perfect circle and then with a stout 
bamboo improvised into a sort of pick, he began 
clearing away some of the dirt at the edge; this he 
did until he exposed a stone about three inches be- 
low the surface and in a few moments more called 
out to the others, who had scattered round. 

Eureka ! This proves it ! ” 

“ Proves what? ” 

Why look here! this spring is walled in; look 
at this masonry.” And sure enough, by clearing 
away some more of the accumulation, it was seen 
that the spring was neatly walled with cemented 
blocks. 

“ Now,” said he, ‘‘this convinces me that our 
Fairy Lake is artificial and to my mind was used as 
a reservoir by some former inhabitants of the island. 
I am sure now that we shall find more evidences of 
their work in the upper forest, to which I propose 
we go , as soon as we get through with more press- 


146 


joe's signal code 


ing work, that is, if the rainy season, which is about 
due, doesn't prevent us ! ” 

To this all agreed, for the subject was now grow- 
ing more interesting as the evidences of a former 
race came into view. They did not stop to explore 
any further but took a direct line for Eastern Bay, 
arriving there during the afternoon, tired and 
hungry. In another hour all were again on board 
where Andy had made great progress with his paint 
brush. The following day, painting was finished, 
sails were prepared for the rainy season, and then 
steam was raised for the winch which drew the 
Katharine into the mouth of the creek, where all 
was made snug for stormy weather. The next day 
sago palms were found near Fairy Lake, and one 
was cut down. Immediately the trunk was cleared 
so that a broad strip could be cut out of the upper 
side as it lay on the ground. When the cut was 
made, the pithy matter composing the inside was 
exposed to view. This was taken out with chisels 
and placed in receptacles brought for the purpose, 
there was then left only the outer skin of the tree. 
After the pith was all extracted, it was taken to 
the creek where a sieve was filled with it and water 
poured thereon, and the mass was kneaded until 
nothing but the fibrous refuse was left. The water 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 


147 


being carefully gathered and run through a trough 
made from the bark which had a depression in the 
center in which settled all the solid sediment, which 
was the portion wanted. This was then formed 
into cylinders, or rather into bucket shapes and then 
covered with sago leaves; the operation being re- 
peated until all was used in the same manner. After 
this the raw material was taken down to the vessel 
and put away for next day’s work, as the sky gave 
warning that the wet season was now at hand. The 
yacht was safely covered over with its stout canvas 
cover and moored out of harm’s way, being attached 
to a stout line extending from the ship to a tree 
on shore, so as to avoid any rough usage against 
the ship’s sides. When the party assembled for 
supper rain was descending in torrents and as it 
can only in the tropics. The wind rose and lashed 
the ocean intO’ a fury along the outer shore of the 
islands, while inside it was comparatively quiet, al- 
though the swell was rather heavy. The ship was 
disturbed but little. The heavy squalls did not have 
more effect than to swell the water under her at 
times. In the cabin, which was still lighted, there 
was plenty of cheer and comfort. Mr. Purdy was 
playing on the mandolin, accompanied by Frank 
on the guitar while the rest were delighted lis- 


148 


joe's signal code 


teners. Then Andy was asked to sing one of his 
funny Dutch songs, the instruments carrying the 
tune, which he did, singing: 

“ Ach wos ben ich ein lustiga Buh, 

Ach wos hop ich so shecklicha shoo,” etc. 

each successive line adding a new adjective until 
the last lines were a torrent of Dutch words held 
to one note like a chant. 

Andy was always applauded for the prodigiously 
tongue-twisting song, but he made no effort of it. 
Toby was now called to the front and made to per- 
form many amusing tricks by Joe, and so the first 
evening passed. A Committee on Programme was 
appointed for the purpose of getting up entertain- 
ments, to be given during the rainy season. Then 
other evenings were to be devoted to work and 
study for the various members of the party. 

The following morning, the sea was in a furious 
state. It was really the first time they had seen it 
so, for it had gone down considerably during the 
first night when they were driven into the bay. The 
surf roared and thundered on the rocky front as if 
it would engulf it. In the forests, the wind was 
swaying trees, often overthrowing them in its wild 
fury. With the ship’s glass they could see that the 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 


149 


beacon on Mount Hope was all right, as well as 
one of those on the channel ; the others, either being 
rendered indistinct by the scud from the sea, or were 
blown down in spite of the stout anchorage given 
them, but this was not serious as no vessel would 
attempt a landing at an unknown island in a storm 
like this. There were plenty of provisions on the 
ship now, together with fruits of various kinds 
gathered during the last week. The sago was tried 
in the cook’s galley. Frank had made an oven from 
some fine clay under Harry’s directions. This was 
simply a clay box about ten inches square with three 
partitions running through it from side to side, 
forming four divisions, fashioned after the ovens 
of the islanders in the Celebes. The raw sago now 
being dry was powdered and sifted, the spaces were 
filled and the whole baked for a short time when 
the cakes were taken out and tried and pronounced 
excellent. They also made some with the addition 
of sugar and cocoanut, which they voted quite a 
delicacy, but as their stock of sugar was running 
short, these latter were made only on special occa- 
sions. 

Now, while they were confined tO' the ship for 
the greater part of each day, their stock of pearls 
was overhauled and examined and other oysters 


50 


joe's signal code 


were taken out and laid on shore to be opened; in 
time. Joe, who had performed most of the work, 
surprised all by producing nearly a hundred speci- 
mens, most of which were large, but there were 
about twenty-five of extraordinary size and beauty. 
Mr. Purdy thought these latter alone were worth 
many thousands of dollars, while the whole lot was 
worth a fortune. It was agreed that they should 
be common property with all additions found there- 
after and that Joe should be the keeper of these 
treasures. There was no doubt a large number that 
could yet be found when the weather would permit, 
as the mollusks were always growing. 

As it was likely there would be more or less 
severe lightning accompanying the storms, it was 
thought best to protect the vessel from any further 
damage by placing conductors on the main and 
mizzen masts. A reel of copper wire was taken 
from the hold and enough taken from it to reach 
from the sky scrapers ” on each mast to the water ; 
when this was in position it was simply fastened by 
large staples and formed a perfect protection as they 
afterward found. This work was done during lulls 
in the storm, which was now daily breaking over 
them. The waters in the bay were but little troubled 
when compared to the outside ocean which was 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 15I 

sending its huge green rollers into the small islands 
where they were caught and rent into clouds of 
spray as they dashed against the rocky shore, but 
while the bay was safe enough for the ship, it was 
not thought always expedient to use the Edna for. 
excursions tO' the islands, when in quest of eggs and 
turtles which abounded there. For this purpose the 
small boat was rigged with a cat sail and used as 
the occasion demanded. Generally the trip was 
made by Andy and Harry but on one occasion, after 
they had been confined to the ship about ten days, 
Joe asked permission to^ accompany Andy. The 
inside looked safe as it usually did, and with no 
signs of the blow resuming for some time, Harry 
gave his consent. The boat went its way without 
any difficulty and reached the islet, where a supply 
of eggs was gathered and then set out upon its 
return. Harry and Frank were standing at the 
wheel of the Katharine watching them as they had 
already headed for the ship and were well under 
way when Frank called attention to a heavy, black 
cloud arising in the northeast, that was apparently 
a resumption of the storm. It was evident it would 
be upon them before the boat would be more than 
halfway across the bay. With Andy at the helm 
Harry did not fear for the safety of the little craft. 


152 


joe's signal code 


but Joe was sailing it, Andy being engaged forward 
in putting something to rights, they could not see 
what. Suddenly the squall struck the boat with its 
sail set and before the sheet could be eased off, the 
pressure of the wind bore it down to the water, 
capsizing the boat. 

Calling to Frank to haul in the line that held the 
yacht, Harry, with sheath knife in hand, was on her 
deck in a few seconds and ripped away the canvas 
covering at the rear while Frank unloosed it from 
the front. In another moment, the Edna was 
headed for the wreck at top speed. By this time 
the cover had been removed and hastily hauled in 
SO as the present as little surface as possible to the 
gale that was howling in from the northeast, catch- 
ing the yacht on the quarter. The little craft rode 
in the rising waters without difficulty and was 
within a few hundred yards of the capsized boat, 
when suddenly the engine stopped dead, just as she 
had risen to a heavy swell and ridden it in safety. 
Frank sprang to the motor and tried to remedy the 
trouble, while Harry held her head to the sea. 
Nothing could be done. The engine was dead, and . 
there perhaps perishing, were Joe and Andy almost 
within reach. 

** Try the starting crank ! called out Harry, not 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 153 

daring to leave the wheel in the bow. Frank seized 
the fly wheel crank, and revolved the shaft, feeling 
at once that the trouble was not on the outside of 
the boat but that there was some trouble with the 
engine, which he tried again and again to start. 
Joe and Andy could be seen clinging tO' the over- 
turned boat, cruelly lashed by the short, chopping 
seas of the bay. 

Throwing off his coat, Frank took the starting - 
crank in his hands, and throwing his whole strength 
into action, turned the propeller shaft himself. 
Although it was with reduced speed, the yacht 
slowly crept up to the boat, from which Joe and 
Andy let go and in a moment were safe in the yacht, 
but in the midst of a howling gale and a deluge of 
rain, which served, however, to beat down the sea 
somewhat. The little craft, with the aid of Andy 
and Joe at the engine, made slow progress toward 
the vessel and occasionally shipped water from the 
rough waves, making it still a critical situation. 

“ What does Mr. Purdy want? He is waving to 
us,” shouted Joe. 

“ He seems to be trying to signal something,” 
said Harry. 

Look what it is; I must hold her to the swell.” 

“ He seems to be placing his finger tips together 


154 


joe's signal code 


and then draws one hand down from the other as 
though he had a string in his hand, and then fol- 
lows this by a motion of the hand and arm as if 
he were tightening a screw." 

" I have it," cried Joe. One of the wires at 
the sparker of the engine has gotten out of its bind- 
ing post." 

And sure enough, the instant it was placed into 
its position again, the little engine that had been 
moved indifferently by hand, now flew to its work, 
making the boat cleave through the water with its 
usual ease and speed. 

Hurrah for Mr. Burdy ! He always know what 
to do ! " shouted Andy. 

In a few minutes the yacht was alongside, and 
Joe, wet as he was, was hugged by Mr. Purdy, who 
beamed with delight. 

“ How did you know that the sparker wire was 
out? " asked Frank. 

I noticed that the vibration of the hull had 
loosened it several times while we were using it, and 
I tightened it mechanically without thinking any 
more about it," said Mr. Purdy. “ When I saw 
you stalled out there it just flashed on my mind that 
that was the trouble, which it seems was the case." 

'' Well," said Harry, only for your thoughtful- 


A PERILOUS EXCURSION 


155 


ness we might have had a great deal of trouble as 
we simply had to fight our way shoreward by hand, 
but it was a tedious and dangerous job.” 

“ Now this convinces me that we need some 
method of communication at a distance,” said Mr. 
Purdy. ‘‘We will have a method whereby we can 
signal by day, and night too if necessary.” 

The capsized boat was still over a mile away. It 
was a good little craft and useful in many ways. 
They could not risk having it go to pieces on the 
rocks when the tide went out, so when the first fury 
of the squall was over, Harry took Andy with him 
and ran out to it, taking it in tow, and brought it 
safely to the creek, where it was righted and again 
put in order, but there were no fresh eggs for 
supper that evening. 


CHAPTER XIX 


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME 

When they again assembled in the cabin during 
the evening, the rain was descending in torrents, 
accompanied by a high wind that occasionally made 
the ship feel its power, even in her snug harbor, but 
as she was well secured on both sides with stout 
hawsers, no fear was felt that she would get into 
any trouble, although Harry carefully examined 
each one before nightfall, a custom he always 
adhered to. 

Mr. Purdy and Frank prepared a concise code 
covering almost everything they might want to 
communicate and in this they included as much of 
Plelen LitteU’s code, made for Joe, as they could 
use. Everything was expressed by a number, while 
the numbers were made by the hand or anything 
that could be held in the hand, such as a handker- 
chief or a branch, or in fact anything that might 
readily be seen. There were no' complex motions 
to be remembered. It was simply a matter of count- 
ing. The hand, either empty or with the object it 
15^ 


^''committee on programme'" reports 157 

might have in it, was held over the head, and then 
swung at arm’s length down about as low as the hip 
and immediately returned to above the head. Once 
down and back meant “ one,” twO' motions meant 
two,” three motions meant three,” and so on, 
until all the numerals could be made that might be 
wanted. The numbers to^ be used were of two 
figures, thus : the hand held overhead and dropped 
at arm’s length once and then returned overhead for 
a second, then dropped three times indicated “ 13,” 
which on the code meant “ Send the yacht,” and so 
on. All the situations that could be thought of, were 
embodied in the list. It was seen that twenty num- 
bers covered about all they now needed. In case 
of necessity, the alphabet itself could be written out 
and numbered letter for letter and then transmitted 
slowly. Before they retired for the night, the entire 
party were thoroughly drilled and each understood 
the manual so that it could be used at once. 

“ The best and quickest method,” said Mr. Purdy, 
would be for each tO' thoroughly learn the Morse 
telegraph code and transmit that in similar manner, 
but that would burden the memory, whereas this 
does not, although it is slower.” 

They had often felt the necessity of something 
like this, but owing to the many other matters they 


158 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


had to engage their attention, it was not acted upon 
until now. When the party retired for the night the 
storm was still howling through the rigging, accom- 
panied by heavy dashes of rain which continued the 
entire night. The next day there was no abatement 
in the rain which now and then seemed to slacken 
only tO' resume in a short time. There was that day 
a discussion as to the advisability of building a boat 
when the wet season ended, for the purpose of es- 
caping from the island. This needed to be one capable 
of carrying the entire party if necessary, and with 
safety through these seas, as it was very evident the 
yacht could not be used for the purpose. Theoretically 
the boat could be designed in detail, but practically 
they all admitted they were not ship carpenters 
enough to attempt to build even a fair boat. How- 
ever, they intended trying it as soon as circumstances 
would permit, but Harry said then, that even 
though the boat were built he would stay with the 
ship until help arrived, which would come one way 
or other soon. He thought that they could not be 
entirely out of the track of vessels, and as long as 
the ship remained it seemed his duty to stay with 
her until it was absolutely certain that help would 
not reach them. There were still some of the bal- 
loons to be sent out, and as the winds were now 


COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME REPORTS 1 59 

blowing very strong, it was thought that the chances 
were good for having them driven over a greater 
space. During the afternoon two more were gotten 
ready and sent off. The first rose swiftly and catch- 
ing the influence of the wind, rapidly made its flight 
to the northeast and was soon lost to sight. Then 
another was sent out just before sunset. This one 
took an easterly direction and soon disappeared. It 
was supposed that they had a sustaining power for 
at least thirty-six hours, during which time they 
might make a thousand miles. 

A sealed tin can like the one attached tO' the first 
balloons sent out some weeks before, containing an 
account of their wreck, was also attached to these, 
with all instructions as to placing the matter into 
proper hands, if found. In like manner cans were 
prepared and set afloat after being marked so as to 
attract attention. These latter were sent out almost 
every day and sometimes they kept in the vicinity 
of the island for days at a time. 

The Committee on Programme for entertainment 
during nights of the stormy season consisted of 
Harry and Frank. They made their report one 
evening shortly after the balloons were sent out, 
presenting the following, which was adopted unani- 
mously : 


i6o 


JOE S SIGNAL CODE 


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME 

FOR 

NIGHT ENTERTAINMEN TS 

To be given on Board 
RED CROSS LINE SHIP 
KATHARINE 

At Hudson Island, Season of 1894. 

These entertainments are free. The public will be welcomed. 
Each entertainment will last about two hours. Dates to be an- 
nounced on small bills. 

No. I. 

Music — Guitar and Mandolin Duet, . 

Feats in Magic, .... 

Closing Song, “America,” 

No. 2. 

Music — Guitar and Mandolin Duet, . 

Marine Engines and Propellers, 

Closing Song, “ Suwanee River,” 

No. 3. 

Music — Mandolin and Guitar Duet, . 

Ships and Their Kinds, 

Recitation, “ Casabianca,” 

Closing Song, “ When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” 

By the Company 

No. 4. 

Music — Mandolin and Guitar Duet, . Messrs. Miller and Purdy 
Electricity in the Twentieth Century, . . Mr. Robt. Purdy 

Song, “ Lichtbutshaar,” . . . Mr. And. Spiegelmier 

With chorus accompaniment by Mr. Tobee, of Cape Town, Africa 
The Committee further announces that other entertainments will 
be held from time to lime. 

In each of the foregoing the lecturers will illustrate their ideas 
with blackboard drawings, or instruments, etc., as occasion may 
demand. 


Messrs. Purdy and Miller 
. . Mr. Robt. Purdy 
. . By the Company 

Messrs. Purdy and Miller 
. . Mr. Frank Miller 
. . By the Company 

Messrs. Purdy and Miller 
. Mr. Harry Henderson 
. Mr. Joseph Henderson 


H. Henderson, 1 
F. miller, i Committee 


COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME"" REPORTS l6l 

The programme was neatly printed with pen and 
ink by Frank, and suspended in a prominent place 
in the main cabin. The only musical instruments 
at hand being the mandolin and guitar, they were 
detailed to the orchestra work each lecture evening. 
All other nights were to be devoted to study or work 
as the case might be. 

One thing that confronted the party now was that 
their supply of coal for the cook’s galley was gradu- 
ally being used up and this would leave the hoisting 
engine without fuel in the course of a few months. 
Their lamps were also using about four gallons of 
oil a week and there were but two more barrels of 
kerosene in stock; this would make about one hun- 
dred gallons on hand, or about six months’ supply. 
Mr. Purdy, however, proposed, as soon as the wet 
weather closed, that they should set up a small dy- 
namo tO' run by power derived from Singing Falls. 
This would give them all the light and heat neces- 
sary. There were some small ones in the cargo with 
every appurtenance, even the engines, but he pro- 
posed to dispense with the latter and use water 
power. 

Where will we place the dynamo? ” asked Joe, 
who was full of enthusiasm at the project. 

“ Right out there on the point, about fifty yards 


joe's signal code 


162 

from the Katharine. It will be a question whether 
to conduct the water from the Singing Falls to this 
point, or whether we set up the dynamo near the 
foot of the Falls and bring the current to the ship 
by wire. There are two ways to look at it. The 
first method will take water pipe from the lake to the 
shore, but then we have the dynamo right in sight 
and can attend to it as needed. The second method 
will dispense with much piping, but the dynamo will 
be away from us and practically beyond control un- 
less some one stays with it. We, of course, would 
use storage batteries and thus do away with night 
running by charging them, in either case. We have 
everything we need for the installment of the 
plant.” 

*‘And shall we have electric lights on the ship 
the same as in our home in Brooklyn ? ” 

‘‘Yes! and more than that; we will do all our 
cooking too. We don't need any heat, or we would 
also heat the cabins, but will use it anyhow in damp 
weather. In fact, there are some experiments we 
may want to try which may be interesting. When 
we once find it irksome to distill naphtha we may be 
able to convert the Edna into an electric boat.” 

“ How will you get the power from the Falls? ” 

“ We will not use the Falls but will take it from 


COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME REPORTS 163 

the lake above. When you made the last trip to the 
west coast you remember I remained here, and at 
that time I measured the Vertical height of the lake 
above the creek and find that we can have a water 
head of one hundred and seventy-one feet. This 
will give us a water pressure of seventy-three pounds 
to the square inch; that will be plenty strong 
enough.” 

And how will you utilize this? ” asked Frank. 

*‘Well! if we can make it answer our purpose, 
we will construct a Pelton water wheel, which is 
simply a wheel with rim buckets and we will deliver 
the water to it through a nozzle. This simple wheel 
is doing wonders where water is plenty and sufficient 
fall can be had. Otherwise we will have to put in a 
turbine wheel, of which we have two sizes among 
the machinery in my consignment. I calculated that 
there is water enough escaping from the lake, over 
the Falls, to supply a city of over a hundred thou- 
sand population with all the arc lights they would 
require, as well as all the incandescent lights they 
needed for business purposes, say fifteen thousand, 
sixteen-candle power lamps, as well as some hun- 
dreds of electric motors. 

Will it take much work to get this into shape? ” 
asked Joe. 


164 


joe's signal code 


^‘Yes! it will take time, and considerable work, 
too, but in the end we shall be so much better situ- 
ated. We shall constantly have powerful arc lights 
illuminating the ship, that will be visible seaward 
for miles, and may bring assistance that might 
otherwise pass without ever knowing the island is 
here; for we are not at all certain that ships have not 
already passed here in the night. However, we will 
wait and hold a council of war before engaging in 
it. Our captain," turning to Harry, “ has the most 
to say in such matters." 

“ And he will join in most heartily," said Harry. 

So it was resolved that just as soon as the 
weather permitted, electric power should be used, as 
suggested by Mr. Purdy. 

Thus the time passed on board of that imprisoned 
vessel. The first entertainment in the course was 
held and conducted the same as if an audience of 
hundreds were present. Mr. Purdy had been busy 
for some days in constructing apparatus for his 
Feats in Magic," in which he really excelled. Pie 
always carried some smaller apparatus with him 
and now put it to good use. 

Wot is de use of going out and upsetting de 
sailboat in a sthorrum and getting drownded nearly 
for eggs, when Mr. Burdy can shake dem out of a 


COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME REPORTS 165 

shnoop duch so fast as he wants dem? Des beat 
alles ! ” said Andy. 

Everyone laughed at Andy’s sally ; even Toby felt 
it incumbent upon him to join in the merriment in 
some way and walked in and out among the audi- 
ence and barked loudly, but soon Mr. Purdy bor- 
rowed Andy’s derby, which was as big as a police- 
man’s helmet, for the audience came in their best 
and he had reserved this black derby (it was black 
once, but age had colored it somewhat of a greenish 
tinge) for shore duty. When Mr. Purdy bor- 
rowed it and, showing it to^ be absolutely empty, in 
an instant took therefrom all sorts of things, in- 
cluding several doll babies, each one in itself almost 
large enough to fill the venerable hat; then follow- 
ing this with fancy balls in such profusion that 
they partly filled a waste paper basket, and finally 
took one large black cannon ball from the same 
source without ever taking the hat from the table : — 
when he did all this; Andy forgot all proprieties 
and shouted : 

Donner wetter ! was ist lets mit mein hute?” 

But the imperturbable Purdy, who understood 
German, told him there was nothing wrong with the 
hat, and jokingly added that Andy was not the first 
man who had things ” in his head. 


i66 


joe's signal code 


And so the evening passed, with many more inter- 
esting feats in legerdemain, closing with the grand 
old hymn, '' My Country Tis of Thee," in which all 
joined. Who could know the heart yearnings of 
those castaways as they sang! 

When they retired for the evening, they all felt 
better for the joy of it and looked forward to the 
time when Frank's lecture on “ Marine Engines and 
Propellers " would be given, for which he was pre- 
paring as earnestly as if it was to be delivered at a 
meeting before the Cooper Institute. 

During lulls in the stormy weather, Frank and 
Joe went ashore and provided game for the table 
and with this, several delicious fruits which 
abounded on the island. These trips were generally 
short as it often rained the greater part of the day. 
Andy also caught some fine sea turtles and lobsters 
among the rocks at the islets. This, varied with fine 
fish which abounded, gave the ship’s company plenty 
of provisions. Their stock of ship’s bread was de- 
creasing so that it became evident something must 
be done to supply its place. Among the varied cargo 
was a consignment of flour intended for Hong 
Kong. With the aid of a good baking powder 
which was in plenty among the ship’s stores, Harry 
and Andy produced some fine biscuit which was 


^‘‘committee on programme"^ reports 167 

varied with the sago bread. Cocoanuts, of which 
there was an endless supply, were prepared in vari- 
ous ways, the milk making an excellent drink. 
Harry showed them how the eastern nations use 
this wonderful tree for food, clothing, wine, sugar, 
and oil. It even furnished material for building 
and also furnished their houses. In fact, this child 
of the tropics in itself seemed to have in it 
e\’’erything that man could want for food and 
comfort. 

When the day arrived for the second entertain- 
ment; all work was finished up early. Promptly at 
7.30 p. M. it was opened with music, as before; then 
Tdr. Frank Miller, of Brooklyn, U. S. A., was in- 
troduced to the audience by Mr. Purdy. Mr. 

( Miller opened up his subject with a brief review of 
the various methods of ship propulsion dating back 
to the daring Phoenicians, who navigated the Medi- 
terranean Sea and followed the African shore far 
south on the Atlantic. Then the various methods 
of propulsion from the oars and sails of these 
ancient galleys down to the close of the eighteenth 
century, when the first steamboat was made and 
run on American waters by one John Fitch, which 
was the forerunner of Robert Fulton’s Clermofi't. 
From these to the marine engine and propeller of the 


joe's signal code 


1 68 

present day, including the vapor engines such as 
used for light boats. By drawings he had mad( 
illustrated the workings of the compound eng 
which use the same steam, even to the third . ■ 
fourth time. Then followed the condensing ] 
cess, high and low pressure engines; illustrating ! • . 
engines were connected to the propeller shaft, gi^ 
a description of the propeller itself in its diffe 
forms. He told of the history of the paddle w ; ; 

with which ships were once equipped; then of • * 
screw propeller, which is now the recognized me 
of propulsion, explaining the meaning of its “ pi' 
and “slip,” following this with references to ( . 
methods of driving boats such as pumping \ 
with the powerful steam pump, taking it in a 
bow and discharging it at the stern. Alsc 
cylinder propeller which acted directly agains ; ' 

water like the piston in a steam cylinder. The 
methods and advantages of expansion wer ■ 
plained as compared with the old and wastetui 
method of using steam at full stroke. He finished 
by venturing a prophecy that ships would cross the 
Atlantic in four days or less, within the next twenty 
years, basing it upon the progress made within the 
past twenty. The audience was much interested and 
applauded the lecture heartily. They then sang the 


"‘"committee on programme"" reports 169 

good old home song, “ Suwanee River and closed 
the evening’s entertainment. 

The rain still fell daily and at times the sea was 
very tempestuous, but in her safe harbor the Katha- 
rine was never affected by it. Only when the gale 
would sometimes catch her bare top rigging, would 
she make a slight roll, but otherwise lay quietly at 
her anchorage. The day following the lecture the 
fourth and last balloon was sent out just about sun- 
set. The wind was very high, carrying it out of 
sight in a few moments of time. As there was not 
a chart on board, they could only guess at its line of 
flight, even with their fairly correct reckoning. 

When the weather permitted, Frank and Mr. 
Purdy made a measurement of the distance from 
Fairy Lake to the mouth of the creek, finding it to 
be just three thousand feet from the lake to the 
shore. When this was completed, the hatches were 
opened and bundle after bundle of two-inch pipe 
was hoisted out to the deck, until there were two 
hundred and fifty pieces of twelve feet each on deck 
by noon, with all necessary couplings. The rain now 
compelled them to quit work for the day, but the 
next morning the boat was loaded with all it would 
carry ; then in tow of the Edna, it was taken up to 
the Singing Falls and unloaded. The next load was 


joe's signal code 


170 

landed at the same place, there now being more than 
enough for the slope leading up to the lake. The 
third lot was scarcely loaded when the rain com- 
pelled the workers to seek shelter and no more was 
done that day. In this way, by working a few hours 
daily, when the rain did not interfere, our voyagers 
gradually distributed pipe over the entire distance, 
waiting only for the wet season to cease in order 
that they might commence coupling it up in a con- 
tinuous line. 

But while all this was done their entertainment 
course was strictly adhered to, it being recognized 
by all that at no time must the days hang heavily on 
their hands. When the third entertainment was 
held, Harry told his audience many wonderful things 
about ships and other various kinds, relating many 
interesting facts he had come across in his sea life, 
but admitting that of all the wonderful stories of 
wreck and miraculous escapes from destruction, 
there was none more wonderful than their own. 

After the lecture, which the appreciative audience 
thoroughly enjoyed, there was a comic recitation by 
Joe, entitled “ Casabianca.” Frank had secretly 
taken the original and made a parody on it to suit 
the present situation. Then Joe committed it, and 
recited it, much to the amusement of all. The even- 


COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME REPORTS I/I 

ing concluded with the song ^‘Johnny Comes March- 
ing Home,” also adapted by our versatile friends. 

It was a constant warfare against anything that 
tended to homesickness. Among that company 
there was not one who did more to prevent it, and 
no one knew better than Robert Purdy, the terrible 
consequences of nostalgia, which, under any other 
mode of life, would threaten them. But often in the 
still watches of the night his iron nerve almost failed 
him, as he thought of his dear ones, now mourning 
him for dead. 


CHAPTER XX 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 

However, hope is strong in the human heart. 
While our voyagers were making preparations for 
their comfort, they also left no stone unturned, no 
device untried toward making their escape from the 
island; nor had anything been left undone in the 
way of attracting the attention of vessels that might 
pass either in the day or night. Especially for the 
latter purpose was it desired that the dynamo should 
be installed. Everything that could be done during 
intervals in the rainy season was pushed to the ut- 
most. In the meanwhile, it was ascertained that 
the dynamo would do better with a Pelton wheel for 
a motor. This was constructed from material taken 
from the cargo and gotten in readiness. Nothing 
could be done toward installing the electric machine 
until the weather was absolutely dry, and even then 
a moisture proof shed must be built for it. The 
building designed was about five feet square. This 
was constructed from the hoisting engine galley, 
172 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 1/3 

which could be taken to pieces and built into the de- 
sired form. A frame work for the water wheel was 
necessary, but as it was impracticable to construct 
one from anything they had, Frank hit on the idea 
of placing a strong frame work, made from cocoa- 
nut trees on the side bank, and mounting the wheel 
in this, with the dynamo just above it in its small 
galley. 

Trees were felled and sawed to proper lengths for 
uprights and frames. These were composed of four 
powerful corner posts, framed into a top and bottom 
frame about five feet square, and were set firmly in 
the slope, a foundation being further secured by us- 
ing large stones, of which there were plenty near 
by. As the weather permitted, this was carried on, 
as rapidly as possible. The pipe was also distributed 
along the line, preparatory to being coupled, the lat- 
ter operation being left for dry weather. 

The fourth entertainment was now announced; it 
being a Saturday and the outside work having been 
carried as far as possible, the party were glad to rest. 
That evening the exercises were opened as usual by 
music, after which Mr. Purdy commenced his lec- 
ture Electricity in the Twentieth Century.’’ He 
opened with a retrospect, in which he spoke of the 
first great experiment by Faraday, in producing an 


174 


joe's signal code 


electric impulse by simply passing a closed copper 
circuit through a magnetic field, which was the in- 
ception of the dynamic electric machine of to-day. 
Illustrating it as he proceeded with a simple wire 
loop connected to a small galvanometer, and this 
was merely passed between the ends of a common 
horseshoe magnet, making the needle of the galvan- 
ometer move aside each time it was done. This lat- 
ter simple instrument, which was only an ordinary 
compass with several coils of copper wire wrapped 
around it, and these two ends connected to the two 
ends of wire forming a small electric circuit or loop, 
and then passed back and forth through the mag- 
netic space between the poles of a magnet, produced 
an electric current, but why, no one could explain 
satisfactorily. 

There existed in that space in dynamos millions 
of “ lines of force,” passing from one pole to the 
other; this science demonstrated, but it could not ex- 
plain as yet why these millions of invisible lines of 
force, when disturbed by a moving copper circuit, 
should produce an entirely different force which we 
now call dynamic electricity. He dwelt on this par- 
ticularly, because it was the germ of the dynamo, 
then continuing : 

“ From that experiment, made one Christmas 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 175 

morning over sixty-five years ago, sprang the ma- 
chine that illuminates our streets, brightens our 
homes, propels our street cars, sends man’s messages 
from one end of the land to the other. It will do 
our cooking and baking; is one of the surgeon’s 
best allies in making a delicate examination, yet 
picks up the heaviest locomotive and carries it from 
one end of the shop to the other. The gold plater 
uses it for his beautiful work; the rock driller in 
far off galleries in mines has it at his command for 
the rough work. In an instant it illuminates the 
.great light towers in cities making, as it were, a 
perpetual moonlight, and is almost as readily used 
by the deep sea diver to lighten his dismal work. 
The machine does not make electricity, it simply 
converts it from some other form. Nature formed 
coal from vegetation through the agencies of light 
and heat. The dynamo takes this coal and again 
returns it to light and heat. We can calculate its 
capacity, measure its power, and have all the mathe- 
matics of electric machinery down tO' a fine point, as 
to results, but as to the true nature of the mysterious 
power itself that is released or converted by this 
wonderful machine, we know nothing. We speak 
of it as a ‘ fluid,' but nothing flows ; again we call 
it a force, but nothing moves. It is a mystery; so 


176 


joe's signal code 


is magnetism. We may figure and calculate in 
mathematics that may make the mind swim, and ar- 
rive at correct conclusions as to its actions and re- 
sults, and yet we do not know what it is, nor 
whence it comes. It is one of the forces of the Al- 
mighty, that we are allowed to have and use, and 
who knows but there may be others that will be 
known to future generations.” 

He then went on and described the action of the 
direct and alternating current generators. The for- 
mer sending its current in rapid pulsations in one di- 
rection, while the “ alternator ” rushes its pulsations 
back and forth so rapidly that, like the direct ma- 
chine, the current is practically without a break in 
either. The volt, ampere and watt as units in elec- 
tric action, were explained, as well as the ohm, the 
unit of resistance. He then pictured the twen- 
tieth century as it might appear near its end, show- 
ing how people will turn on music with an elec- 
tric button, swift flying trains will dart over the 
land at phenomenal speeds. Not only will the hu- 
man voice be carried across land and sea, but views 
will be transmitted, showing moving life. Street 
traffic will be conducted without horses; telegrams 
will be transmitted through air or water, without 
the intervention of wires. The steam engine will be 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 177 

superseded, except for a while as a motor, and 
even then will be discarded for more direct methods 
of producing electricity. Ocean steamers will be run 
by fast running and powerful motors, carrying their 
stored power with them instead of ballast and fuel. 
All these will be actuated by this wonderful force 
of which we know so much and yet so little. Un- 
sightly wires will disappear from our thoroughfares, 
being replaced by metallic ribbons laid in conduits, 
separated only by an insulating substance like as- 
phalt. There will be no more electric accidents in 
the streets. Nature’s lightning, instead of being 
feared, will be captured and stored for man’s use. 
Our present methods of lighting will be crude when 
compared to those in use at the close of the twen- 
tieth century. The storage battery will be perfected 
so that it will not occupy more room than the boiler 
and fuel space of vessels, the pilots' of which will also 
control the motor by simple levers. Vessels will 
be charged as they lie at the wharf taking on cargo. 
Public roads will be perfected so that swift-flying 
electrical machines may travel on them, buying their 
current, at different places, as they now might buy 
horse feed. Submarine boats will be brought to per- 
fection by its use. Great machine shops will run 
noiselessly; not a belt will be seen or used, each ma- 


178 


joe's signal code 


chine having its own motor. Power will be cen- 
tralized near the great fuel or water power centers, 
where electricity will be generated and sent abroad 
for a thousand miles with little loss, economizing 
fuel by burning it, as well as waste, at the mines. 
Steam railroads, now using the sprightly, but waste- 
ful, locomotive that develops but ten per cent, of the 
power of its fuel, will change their machinery to 
electric power. Illuminating gas will be known only 
as a curiosity in laboratories. In short, it will revo- 
lutionize the mechanical world and contribute much 
to man's happiness, by ministering to his wants on 
all sides, from sterilizing the infant's milk to in- 
stantaneous cremation when death at last calls him 
to rest. It will be difficult to enumerate its uses; 
necessity will create new ones of which we, at this 
age, know nothing, and I doubt that even then 
whether man will know the true nature of this faith- 
ful and intelligent servant." 

Long and loud was the applause given to this in- 
teresting talk, which was then followed by Andy, in 
his dialect song, entitled “ Lichtbutschaar." This had 
a chorus attached to it like a repet end to a decimal, 
and always created a hearty laugh, especially when 
the dog whined his part in the song. After this 
Master Toby was put through some surprising feats 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 1/9 

by Joe, while the orchestra was playing soft music; 
then the fourth entertainment ended, all well pleased 
and instructed by the various exercises. So the even- 
ings passed; often while the storm was raging over 
the island. 

In addition to these amusements Joe’s studies 
were pursued, and especially did he excel in mathe- 
matics and navigation. Sundays were always ob- 
served with divine service and made a day of rest 
from their work. Thus, when the rainy season drew 
to a close, it found our voyagers in good health and 
spirits, ready to meet the difficulties before them. 
Full of hope for the future, confidently expecting to 
reach civilization -before another wet season set in, 
and with the hope of finally rescuing the Katharine 
from her too safe harbor. 

It was now painfully evident that Hudson Island 
was not near to the beaten track of vessels going to 
and from the East Indies, as not a sign had been 
seen of one since their arrival there. They had 
never seen any evidence of neighboring lands, al- 
though the horizon on all sides had been searched 
with their splendid ship’s glass whenever the 
weather was favorable. Once they discerned on the 
northern horizon a dark smoke rising column-like 
in the still air.. It was not of more than an hour’s 


i8o joe's signal code 

duration, and the distance was difficult to judge; 
after awhile it died out and was seen no more. Mr. 
Purdy and Joe thought it a steamer below the hori- 
zon, but Harry thought not. If it had been and was 
in motion the column would not have been vertical, 
but would have trailed after the vessel. On the other 
hand, if it were a steamer at anchor, it was not likely 
there would be such columns of smoke ascending for 
almost an hour, indicating a wasteful consump- 
tion of coal. No! clearly it was from some other 
source. 

It’s my impression,” said Harry, “ there is an 
inhabited land up there, and we have to-day seen 
smoke made by its inhabitants.” 

Why not a volcano ? ” asked Joe. And yet that 
theory hardly seemed tenable either, as a volcano 
would be likely tO' smoke more than one hour. So 
various speculations were indulged in for a few days, 
then, not seeing it any further, it was almost for- 
gotten in the work before them, as the rainy season 
had now closed. The island was donning the bright- 
est green on all sides. Birds of different kinds en- 
livened the forest. All Nature seemed to- rejoice 
that the tempests had ceased. The angry ocean no 
longer threw its thunderous billows against the out- 
lying islets and the island was again at peace. 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE l8l 

Work on the electric light plant was commenced. 
The water wheel was hoisted out and by means of 
tackle, was put ashore without difficulty, as the ves- 
sel was still in the creek and near the banks. Then 
the small shed, or cabin for the dynamo was con- 
structed so as to be perfectly water tight and firm. 
It was desired that the pipe line should be laid in 
position before the dynamo was placed; so opera- 
tions were commenced at once. Armed with pipe 
tongs and wrenches, the party, under direction of 
Frank, commenced at the foot of the falls and joined 
up the pipe that had been distributed during the rainy 
season. With a little grease the threads had been 
protected from rust, so that the work went along 
finely; the whole line being complete from the power 
house to Singing Falls in about five days. The re- 
mainder was then taken up the slope to the lake and 
firmly secured, the last length being laid in a box 
in one of the small streams flowing out from the 
lake. A large globe valve was inserted at the power 
house, enabling them tO' stop off the water any time 
without emptying the pipe. At last all was in readi- 
ness, and the party adjourned to the lower end of 
the line; then the valve was opened. With a loud 
hiss the compressed column of air rushed from the 
pipe, and in a few minutes the water arrived and 


1 82 joe's signal code 

instantly set the wheel in motion, soon reaching a 
high speed. 

“ This does one thing more for us,” said Joe. 
‘‘We are getting pure water without having to go 
to the falls for it, and the tide keeps the creek mixed 
with salt water all the time.” 

The dynamo was now hoisted out in its packing 
case, and with it all the cases containing the arma- 
ture, rheostat, volt and ampere meters, with all con- 
nections. Like toys the weighty boxes were sent up 
by the steam winch, swung over the side and de- 
posited right on the spot desired. As soon as the 
field pieces were hoisted over and placed in position, 
and the armature set in place, the house was finished 
so that no moisture could affect it. While Mr. Purdy 
was making the connections, he also gave directions 
to the others for arranging the wires for temporary 
wiring. The mains were carried across to the ves- 
sel, from connections that could pull out without 
damage, should the vessel move with the tide. The 
dynamo had a face plate on it marked 

8 Kilowatts 
no Volts. 600 Rev. 

“What does 8 kilowatts mean?” asked Joe, 
pointing to the plate. 

“ That means eight thousand ‘ watts.' A ‘ watt ’ 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 1 83 

is the unit of power. It takes 746 watts to make one 
electrical horse power, and as there are in round 
numbers 50 watts to each 16-candle power incandes- 
cent lamp, you will see that this dynamo has a capac- 
ity of 8000 divided by 50, which equals 160, which 
is the number of 16-candle power lamps it can sus- 
tain. If you will look at the lamps we have over 
there in that barrel, you will see each one marked 3.1 
watts, which means three and one-tenth watts to 
each candle power, so that the ordinary 16-candle 
power lamp will take in power forty-nine and six- 
tenths watts, or, as I said, in round numbers, fifty 
watts.’' 

Can’t we use arc lights on this machine? ” said 

Joe. 

Yes! we will have several; in fact, we want to 
make that the chief output of the machine,” said 
Mr. Purdy, “ as we shall not need many small lights 
for our use, so that while the current is being gen- 
erated, we must continue to have it taken up mostly 
by the arc lamps, until we get our storage batteries 
charged; then we will use it as we wish.” 

So the work went on ; when evening came there 
was still much to do. The dynamo was securely 
covered for the night, and the workers went aboard 
for their supper, which Andy had prepared. The 


joe's signal code 


184 

following day everything was in readiness by noon. 
There were eight arc lights, one pair on the fore- 
mast, another pair on the mainmast, two more on 
the mizzenmast, and two lights on the deck. In 
addition to this, there were twenty lamps of 32-can- 
dle power distributed in the cabins and on deck. In 
fact, there were too many, but for the present they 
had to give the dynamo something to do in the way 
of work. When all was in readiness, Mr. Purdy 
called to Joe to turn on the water; then the armature 
began to revolve rapidly and sing its song of mo- 
tion. In a moment more the pilot light on top of the 
dynamo showed a dull red color, then it grew 
stronger and stronger, until a bright horseshoe of 
light showed; then with the rheostat set to balance 
the current, the switches were thrown over. The 
arcs clicked as they adjusted themselves to the life 
that was now coursing through their solenoids and 
flashed out a white diamond light, even in the trop- 
ical sunbeams that reflected from the clear glass 
globe, while the incandescents rose to the occasion 
grandly. The Singing Falls sang a new song as that 
armature translated it into tones of light. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah ! for our plant ! " cried Joe. 

All joined in and cheered with a hearty good will. 
Toby of course, barked and rejoiced in his own way 


A MYSTERIOUS COLUMN OF SMOKE 1 85 

as he always did when anything was going on. In- 
asmuch as the day was bright with sunlight, it was 
not necessary to run the plant longer than to give it 
a good trial, so it was shut down until night. 

“ Mr. Purdy, please come here ! This rheostat 
is quite warm,” said Joe, placing his hand on the 
wire netting on the sides. “ What causes that ? ” 

“ That is simply some of the current required to 
magnetize the fields going off in the form of heat. 
You see the dynamo has a capacity for a certain 
pressure of current. Now this rheostat or resist- 
ance box which you see has about one cubic foot 
of space inside and is filled with coils of German 
silver wire. They look like long springs, about as 
thick as your little finger. On the outside is a brass 
handle that you can move around so as to throw 
any number of them intO' the circuit of the fields, 
and German silver is a poor conductor of electricity, 
so that in controlling the output of the dynamo about 
three per cent, has to- fight its way through this lot 
of poor conductors, and produces heat, just as driv- 
ing a nail through wood produces heat, or pulling a 
string through your closed hand will produce heat 
and burn it. On this principle are made electric 
heaters, surgical appliances, cooking and baking ap- 
paratus. The light itself is caused simply by a strug- 


i86 


joe's signal code 


gle for the current to get through the carbon fila- 
ment in those closed glass lamp bulbs, and these 
would burn out instantly if they were not in a vac- 
uum and cannot burn for want of oxygen. But you 
will see more and more in this magnificent machine 
as you study it, and always remember, my boy, that 
it is one of God’s powers that he has permitted man 
tO' use. I have a reverence for it, for it brings to 
my mind the words of Paul : — 

“ ‘ Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered into the heart of man the things that God 
prepared for them that love Him.' " 


CHAPTER XXI 


joe's electrical company 

In addition to the conductor to the Pelton wheel, 
Frank made a small connection to the main pipe, to 
which a rubber hose was fastened and brought on 
board, furnishing them with pure and fresh water 
constantly for all purposes. Andy especially, was 
delighted with it, for now he could more easily wet 
down the ship to keep her seams tight. It, however, 
occupied several days to get things in order. The 
wiring was made permanent and placed in such con- 
dition that the most critical insurance inspector could 
not have found a flaw in it. Switches were placed 
at points where most convenient. Joe was taught 
how to trim ” the arc lamps, the beautiful com- 
pensating mechanism of which he studied until he 
mastered it. 

But the carbons — after we once use ours in the 
cargo, where will they come from ? " he asked. 

Why ! Joe, we have the material right here on 
our island," said Frank, '' over in our oil still. After 
187 


i88 


joe's signal code 


all the crude oil has been evaporated and condensed 
into naphtha, kerosene, and lubricating oils taken out, 
there still will remain a coke from the sediment in 
the oil. From that coke are made the finest carbons. 
In some respects this mysterious crude oil bears a 
comparison to the palm tree for utility, each has so 
many uses.” 

Harry rigged an arrangement by which Joe could 
lower the mast lights to convenient places for trim- 
ming. Andy also attended to them at times ; in fact, 
each one of the party was taught the entire manage- 
ment of this improvised electric station. 

Let us form a company and issue a prospectus 
something like this,” said Joe one day, after he had 
written it out: 

“ HUDSON ISLAND LIGHT & POWER CO. 

“ H. Henderson, President. 

“ Robt. Purdy, Consulting Engineer. 

Frank Miller, Superintendent. 

Andy and I will be dynamo tenders and line- 
men. I think we can dispose of all of our stock.” 

Who will buy it ? ” asked Harry. 

The inhabitants of the island, I guess,” said Joe, 
pointing to a couple of monkeys, springing from 
branch to branch of some adjacent trees. “ They 


joe's electrical company 189 

seemed to take considerable interest in our new en- 
terprise. If Toby wasn’t so rude to them, I think 
they would often come to see us.” 

In fact these simians had grown to be so common 
a neighbor that they began to be troublesome, and, 
only for Toby’s vigilance they would often have 
picked up small articles and decamped. They did 
succeed in carrying off some. The lights attracted 
them at night, as well as a multitude of insects and 
night bugs that passed all comprehension for oddity 
of appearance. 

The ship, under the new method of illuminating, 
was more cheerful to the little crew, but as yet the 
light was not used all night long, as it was not de- 
sirable that one of the party should remain on duty 
all night to watch the dynamo. They shut down 
at midnight and used a ship’s lantern until morning, 
adhering to this plan until their storage batteries 
were ready for use. As soon as these could be placed 
in service, work was to be commenced on the boat, 
which Andy volunteered to construct, if the neces- 
sary lumber was furnished. He thought it might 
take two weeks or more, so one day, while Mr. Purdy 
and Joe were working at the storage batteries, Harry 
took the Edna and searched along the shore of the 
bay for suitable trees for the lumber. The boat was 


190 


joe's signal code 


designed thirty feet in length, with a single cat rig 
sail; then decked over, having a small cabin in the 
middle, with ample living accommodations for a 
crew of five persons. Whether they could construct 
a suitable craft remained to be seen. None of the 
party had been engaged in a matter of the kind be- 
fore, so it became somewhat of a problem just how 
to proceed. A safe and substantial boat was what 
they needed; not a temporary affair that would an- 
swer in a quiet sea, for it would no doubt require 
many days of sailing to reach a land from which, 
even then, they might not get any help; however, 
Andy thought if the keel were once laid he might 
finish it. 

About a mile north of the ship Harry found sev- 
eral teak trees, which gave promise of furnishing 
the necessary material. Three of these were after- 
ward cut down and trimmed of their branches, then 
sawed into lengths and rolled into the water for tow- 
ing to the creek. When they arrived there, they 
were hoisted on board the ship and carefully sawed 
into boards. It was tedious work, but had there 
been more of it, a temporary sawmill could have 
been rigged to be worked by the electric current. 
In a week’s time there arose on the Katharine's deck 
a pile of lumber that was ample for the purpose re- 


joe's electrical company 191 

quired for the hull, with the exception of knees, but 
this could not occasion much delay, as our explorers 
had seen just the timber suitable for that purpose 
on one of their trips to the northwest near the head 
of Fairy Lake. 

The keel was laid at a suitable place on the 
Point that was safe from the tidal changes, and then 
Andy commenced operations, while Frank and 
Harry took the yacht up to the falls, where they se- 
cured her and followed the lake to its head. From 
here they took the direction of their former trail, 
which was almost completely obliterated by the rapid 
growth of vegetation in this climate. It was finally 
lost altogether, but they found some of the trees they 
sought and felled them, securing four good pieces 
for the knees and ribs. These they took back to the 
lake and placed them near the shore, intending, when 
enough were cut, to throw them into the water and 
float them to the lower end, and then again after car- 
rying them over the slope, float them down the creek. 
By four o’clock they had cut and moved about a 
dozen to the lake; fastening them together they 
formed a raft, which was towed along to the falls, 
from which place they were towed to the ship. As 
their boat must not draw over four feet of water, 
they had no difficulty to get them shaped and set 


192 


joe's signal code 


into position. In another day they secured all the 
heavier timbers necessary and placed them into posi- 
tion as far as possible, so that Andy could go ahead 
with the remainder until the hull was decked over, 
and this would take another week at least. 

While the timber was being cut, the storage cells 
were gotten out of the hold and placed in position 
in the empty forecastle. Mr. Purdy, with Joe’s as- 
sistance, moved the weighty cells with a tackle they 
had rigged and then prepared the plates. In a couple 
of days the dynamo was started up and began 
charging the battery, which was ready for use about 
the same time the last timber was brought in, so that 
night the arc lights on the mizzenmast were sus- 
tained from midnight until morning by the new proc- 
ess. They now had to wait for the boat, which 
would yet take considerable time. While this was 
being done, it was arranged to visit the western 
coast, to look after the beacon, which was still in 
place, as well as to make further explorations to 
the north of Fairy Lake. Providing themselves 
with everything necessary that could be carried for 
a trip of two or three days, the entire party, with 
the exception of Andy, set out on the yacht, which 
took them about a mile to the north of the Katharine, 
where a landing was made. Bidding Andy good-by. 


joe's electrical company 193 

they struck into the forest, moving toward the north- 
west. The weather was warm, but, with forest 
shade and the tempering sea breeze, they suffered no 
discomfort. Toby was in his element again, rush- 
ing here and there through the forest, creating con- 
sternation among the smaller game, but he met a 
disastrous defeat when he happened tO' encounter a 
porcupine, of which there seemed to be plenty on this 
end of the island. He charged upon it valiantly, 
but was ingloriously repulsed, after having been 
treated to a lot of its quills, which sO' pained him, 
that he was glad to have Frank and Joe extract 
them. These little animals being esteemed a great 
delicacy, Frank made a note of the place, in order 
to shoot a few upon their return. About noon the 
party halted for dinner and a rest, as their progress 
at times was difficult, on account of the tropical 
undergrowth. They saw on their route many birds 
that they had seen in the southern part of the island, 
and some few deer. While they were taking dinner 
their attention was drawn to a singular growth on 
a tree close by; it being attached to a limb about 
thirty feet from the ground, looking like a large, 
semi-circular body of some inches in thickness. 

I do believe that’s a honeycomb ! ” said Harry. 

While I never saw one, I know that bee hunting 


194 joe's signal code 

is carried on to a considerable extent in some of the 
Timor Islands, and have been told how they build.” 

Moving nearer to the tree, they were surprised to 
see that the color of the object was caused by thou- 
sands of bees at work on a monster comb attached 
to a limb. These bees needed no winter shelter, so 
could work and live in the open air. 

“ What a pity ! ” said Joe, “ that we haven’t the 
necessary appliances ; I should like to try to get that 
down.” 

“ But even if we had them,” said Harry, “ it 
would still be a difficult and dangerous experiment. 
The natives who cut them down go up bare armed 
and bare legged with a smoke torch and stupefy 
them, and even then they must get some stings, but 
they don’t seem to mind it. I think these bees would 
make us pay dearly for all we might get from them, 
for they are resentful creatures.” 

So it was agreed to let it remain for a future 
excursion when ropes and smoke torches would be 
taken along. After dinner had been eaten, the party 
again took up their march to the west. They had 
now gone about half the distance to the coast and 
had not yet crossed the ridge that stretched away 
to the north from Mount Hope. This elevation be- 
came less decided as it approached the northern 


joe's electrical company 195 

coast, where it terminated; their northern beacon 
standing on the extreme end, the other being Mount 
Hope itself; the ridge stretching like a diagonal 
across Hudson Island from southeast to north- 
west like a huge backbone ; Oil Creek having its 
rise on the western side, while Fairy Lake was fed 
from springs and streams on the eastern side. About 
two miles to the northwest of Fairy Lake, they sud- 
denly came upon a large wall-like obstruction 
stretching across their line of march. Mr. Purdy, 
who was in the advance, shouted to the rest to hurry 
along as he had found something to interest them. 
Pressing forward they found that it was really a 
massive wall, hidden somewhat by the growth of 
young timber, but when the branches were cleared 
aside, it was seen that it was covered with sculp- 
tured figures, upon which our little party gazed in 
silent awe. Following the wall for some hundred 
feet to the south, they came tO' a large opening. This 
evidently was once a main gate. Entering here, they 
found an inner court paved with large finely cut 
stone from which ascended a flight of stone steps 
that they afterward found extended around a vast 
rectangular floor. These steps were overgrown with 
small trees and other growth, that were slowly but 
surely forcing many large stones from their beds in 


196 


joe's signal code 


the floors and steps. When they reached the upper 
floor they beheld the remains of what was once an 
enormous temple, or a series of temples arranged 
along the sides of this mammoth plateau, paved 
with magnificent stone; evidently once the resort of 
thousands of worshipers. The walls still remain- 
ing were covered with exquisite sculpturing, show- 
ing that the artists were masters of their calling. 
Everywhere the same high order of art was dis- 
played. Everything arranged with mathematical 
nicety, but now standing, in silent evidence of a 
people long since passed away, of whom there was 
not a record visible, beyond the mute sculpture left 
behind them on the massive stone. For a moment 
not a word was uttered as our explorers stood in 
wonder, gazing at the sight before them. 

The work of a forgotten people ! ” said Mr. 
Purdy, “ and now we can account for the paving at 
the lake, for this proves our surmises that it was 
built for a reservoir. Who knows for what purpose 
it may have been used? ” 

‘‘ These no doubt are the works of a people who 
were contemporary with those who left such grand 
ruins behind them in Java, where they exceed any- 
thing that is to-day found in India or even Central 
America,” said Harry, and while their extent is 


joe's electrical company 197 

vastly greater their finish is equally beautiful. They 
left there ruins of palaces, temples, aqueducts, baths, 
and even fortifications.’' 

“ Do you think this mighty temple was used only 
for the people of this island?” said Frank. “It 
seems to me that inasmuch as we haven’t yet found 
other traces, this island might have been the seat of 
their worship and this temple some mighty shrine 
to which pilgrims came. No doubt the same people 
built the wall around the oil spring, too.” 

“ I wonder what they did with that oil ? ” said 
Joe. 

“ Perhaps they were fire worshipers and used 
that in keeping up the sacred pyre,” said Harry, 

So they conjectured and marveled as they came 
across new wonders at every step. There seemed 
to be a great number of smaller temples around the 
outer edge of the great stone rectangle, while in 
the center there evidently stood at one time a grand 
dome. Sculptured figures, that had in many in- 
stances, fallen from their places, lay scattered around 
among fallen columns on this mighty area, yet not a 
hieroglyph was visible among the exquisite stone 
carving to throw any light upon the history of the 
lost race. 

“ No doubt,” said Mr. Purdy, “ there are many 


198 


joe's signal code 


more ruins on the island. We have thus far made 
only a few trips across the interior which we know 
is quite extensive. I do not doubt at all we have 
even then moved over some of their stone causeways, 
but could not see them on account of the vegetation 
covering the stone.” 

They remained here until the lengthening 
shadows warned them that evening was close at 
hand. 

“ Let us stay here for the night !” said Joe. ‘‘We 
can’t make the west coast anyhow before the sun 
sets.” 

“A good idea!” said Frank. “Here we have 
plenty of water from our pitcher plant. What 
better place can we find for a camp. There are some 
nice places for our beds,” said he, pointing to 
several recesses in the walls, “ that look just as if 
they were once used as sleeping places, and here 
we can build our fire if we want one. This will give 
us a full hour more to go over the place, and I doubt 
whether we would see all of it then.” 

So it was taken as a camping place for the night. 
As they sat around their fire that evening with the 
tropical moon now almost full, filling the great 
areas around them with a soft, brilliant light, they 
wondered what kind of people once thronged these 



They wondered what kind of people once thronged these 
courts. — Page 198. 




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joe's electrical company 199 

courts, how far they were advanced in the arts and 
sciences, and then, after leaving such stupendous 
work behind them, how could they disappear with- 
out leaving a history of some kind engraved on the 
mighty stones instead of the lot of mythological 
figures which abounded on all sides. 

‘"But!” said Frank, “the Mound Builders in 
America were no doubt a great race, too, and they 
left behind them many evidences that they possessed 
considerable engineering knowledge, especially in 
the State of Ohio, although their work extends to 
the Pacific Ocean, and yet we know nothing of 
them.” 

“ I believe it would be more proper to say that 
their work commenced at the Pacific and extended 
eastwardly,” said Mr. Purdy, “ for I have seen in 
the possession of a friend of mine, who was a civil 
engineer engaged in the construction of the North- 
ern Pacific Railroad, a piece of carving that was 
taken from a mound in the Mandan Indian country; 
that convinces me that our American Indians had 
their ancestors in a race that came from this country, 
or rather from Eastern Asia. It is a piece of soft 
stone, reddish brown in color, cut into an octagonal 
shape, hollow in the center, and about two and a 
half inches high, being about three inches wide at 


200 


joe's signal code 


the base and somewhat less at the top. In fact it 
looked like an eight-sided inkstand as it stood on 
the table. This stone had on the front face an 
archway leading into the hollow part ; on either side 
of this opening were two cross-legged figures carved 
with typical Mongolian faces, their hands joined as 
if in prayer. On the other panels was carved foliage 
hanging over closed doors. On the upper face were 
two holes drilled down into the sides, as if to fit with 
pegs another piece on top, and so on until it would 
be completed. To my mind it was simply a section 
of a Chinese pagoda or temple, which was origi- 
nally about a foot high, the other parts being lost in 
excavating. This rather convinced me that the fore- 
fathers of our present American savages came from 
Asia.” 

‘‘ But,” said Frank, our astronomers tell us that 
America is the old world, not the new, as our moun- 
tains would indicate. You know the American 
ranges are generally worn down to ridges, while in 
the Eastern Hemisphere they run more to peaks, not 
having been worn down as yet. How would you 
reconcile that to your theory? ” 

I do not attempt it,” said Mr. Purdy. ‘‘ You 
remember I spoke of the race that Columbus and 
subsequent explorers found. There is no doubt at 


JOE^S ELECTRICAL COMPANY 201 

all that America was once inhabited by other races 
long since extinct and who long antedated the pres- 
ent Red Men. It is a mystery we cannot solve, like 
the one before us now.'' 

Then they turned in and slept soundly, wrapped 
in their blankets, reposing on their beds of dry bark, 
with their faithful dog on guard. 


f 


CHAPTER XXII 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 

The next morning our explorers awoke just after 
the sun arose, all feeling singularly refreshed with 
their night of sound sleep. Beautiful birds were 
fluttering about among the picturesque ruins; all 
the woods seemed alive with life. While breakfast 
was being prepared, Frank strolled out to the edge 
of the great pavement and found a fine walled-ih 
spring down on the south side, from which they 
drew copiously. They had good water, fresh fruits, 
fresh cocoanuts and sagO' bread for breakfast, after 
which the party continued their journey, arriving 
at the western coast during the morning. The 
shores were searched as far as possible, but did not 
show anything to claim their attention. Remaining 
here until after their noon meal, they set out toward 
the northern beacon, which was now about four 
miles away. The line of march lay along the cliffs 
of the west side, at the base of which stretched the 
ocean, that came up to their very foundations. Here 


202 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE "" RESCUE 203 

were found plenty of eggs as they journeyed along, 
but they did not take any, as the whole coast 
abounded with them. Shortly after their arrival 
at the island, Andy had taught Joe a simple method 
of determining whether an egg was good or vice 
versa, by taking one and applying the butt, or thick 
end to the tongue; this felt warm, and when the 
peak or smaller end was touched to the tongue, it felt 
cold, but if both ends were cold the egg would be 
bad. It was a necessity to have some means to detect 
the addled ones, as they sometimes had unpleasant 
experiences with them, so Andy’s method, which he 
said was used among the farmers in the Blue Moun- 
tain district of Pennsylvania, was adopted and 
proved of value. 

When they arrived at the northern beacon, they 
overhauled it and gave it a tightening, for the wind 
had somewhat loosened the lashing, causing it to 
lean slightly. While the others were engaged at 
this, Joe was searching the horizon with the glass. 
Suddenly he exclaimed: 

“ There’s that smoke again ! ” 

Sure enough, to the north they beheld a column 
of black smoke rising from some point below the 
horizon. This time it ascended apparently to a con- 
siderable height and now was very distinct. It 


204 


joe's signal code 


seemed to be a heavy black column from its base 
to most of its height when it thinned out and dis- 
persed in the atmosphere.% The party stood looking 
at it for a while without a word being spoken. 

“ If this was the first time we saw it, I might 
think it was a steamer coming toward us,” said 
Frank, but the fact that we have seen it before 
and in precisely the same quarter makes me think 
it is the work of people on some island, that is prob- 
ably thirty or forty miles away.” 

“ Maybe it’s a signal of distress,” said Joe. 
“ Who knows but that our crew may be on that 
island ? ” but no one could answer as they stood 
there anxiously looking at it. 

“ How long has it been there, I wonder,” said 
Mr. Purdy. 

“ It came up just as I was sweeping the horizon,” 
said Joe. “ It began rising and attracted my atten- 
tion at once.” 

By this time it had again grown fainter and 
finally disappeared, leaving the party once more in 
perplexity as to its origin. It was almost certain 
that they had scanned the horizon from the ship 
every hour of the day whenever weather permitted 
it. Unless it had appeared when they were in the 
forest, this was but the second time it had been seen. 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 20$ 

What could it be? Was there an inhabited land 
near them? If so, would not Hudson Island be 
visible to its people on accPDunt of the high land, es- 
pecially Mount Hope, which would be visible many 
miles out at sea. 

“ Acting upon the theory that it is a signal, why' 
not make a response to it? ” said Mr. Purdy. 

"‘That's just what I was thinking, too! " replied 
Harry. “ Let us try it." 

In a few moments a lot of dry wood was 
gathered and fired. When this was ablaze, armfuls 
of damp leaves were thrown upon it, making a 
heavy column of smoke. This they kept up for a 
quarter of an hour, in the meanwhile scanning the 
ocean with their glass, but without response. It 
being pretty late in the afternoon, they decided to 
camp there for the night, as they were familiar with 
the spot. After supper they sat around their camp 
fire and discussed the events of the last two days, 
wondering how Andy was getting along. Then the 
great temple occupied their conversation for a while, 
Frank greatly regretting that he did not bring along 
his camera when they sailed from New York, it 
having been, by some oversight, left behind. 

They had just gotten themselves beds of leaves 
ready when Mr. Purdy discovered a light in the 


2o6 


joe's signal code 


north in the same quarter as the smoke they had 
seen during the day. Although visible to the eye, 
their glass showed that it was accompanied by 
smoke which served to diffuse it. This time it kept 
up about fifteen minutes, then died out. Again our 
voyagers answered it but received no response. 

“ When our boat is ready," said Harry, “ we will 
try tO' find out what it is ! There is one difficulty, 
though, we have no compass for an extended sail; 
we ought to have one, as the lightning ruined our 
binnacle compass, and the rest were on the boats 
when they left the ship. Perhaps we can use Mr. 
Purdy’s galvanometer as a substitute." 

“ We will make one," said Mr. Purdy. “ Now 
that we have our dynamoi it will be an easy matter 
to make a magnetic needle which will answer in a 
pinch." 

Then, not deeming it necessary for a regular 
watch, they left their faithful dog in charge and 
turned in for the night. 

When they awoke the next morning there was 
nothing more to be seen of the smoke in the north. 
The party soon commenced their journey to the 
east, intending to keep well along the northern coast 
which, like that on the west, rose high from the 
sea, while at some places it washed the bases of the 


207 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 

cliffs. By taking this route the sea was kept in 
sight all the time; at the same time it enabled them 
to make observations of the country as they jour- 
neyed along. Here, too, innumerable pheasants, 
partridges, and other game abounded as it did all 
over the island. The morning was glorious; the 
sun was bright but not too warm; a refreshing 
breeze came in from the glistening ocean, laden with 
health. The very birds seemed to feel the inspira- 
tion of that atmosphere. 

“ Some might pass years in a spot like this and 
not know or care anything of the busy outside 
world, if they were inclined to be selfish or wanted 
to live the hermit,’' remarked Frank. 

There are people to-day doing that same thing 
right in our cities,” said Mr. Purdy. '' They are 
practically so engrossed in their own affairs, that 
they have no time or sympathy for anything else. 
But what a paradise this would be for people who 
are in delicate health ; the best air, filled as it is with 
ozone; water that is purity itself, — fruits, flowers, 
birds and sunshine; what more could they de- 
sire?” 

Yet one thing more,” said Frank. 

^‘What is that?” 

Big game ! ” 


2o8 


joe's signal code 


Whereupon they all laughed at Frank’s amend- 
ment, well knowing his shooting proclivities. 

Wouldn’t this be the place for Mrs. Littell ! I 
believe she would recover her health here. The 
Samoan Islands can’t be better. I wonder how they 
all are! ” said Joe. We’ve been on the island since 
the beginning of the year and it’s now the tenth 
day of October.” 

Just one year ago to-day we left New York,” 
said Harry. 

For a short time nothing more was said. They 
had never let the fact of their exile intrude upon 
them, keeping themselves busy at anything that 
would engage the mind, but now Joe’s innocent 
hand had drawn aside the curtain and showed them 
the reality of their position. 

I’m glad Purdy didn’t hear that! ” said Frank. 

Nothing seems to affect him so much as speaking 
of home. Danger of any kind would not make him 
quail, but when ” 

Listen ! ” A call was heard from Mr. Purdy 
who had strayed nearer to the cliffs some distance 
away. Hastening to the place he called their atten- 
tion to three minute, black objects on the horizon, 
evidently very far away. 

What are they ? ” 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 2O9 

Joe, who carried the glass, handed it to Harry 
who looked intently, and then turning, said: 

'' They look like the tops of vessels far down in 
the distance, sailing south.’^ 

Frank nor Mr. Purdy could add anything to this, 
but Joe took the glass and looking a while said : 

‘‘If they are vessels, they have a top that is not 
like ours,” handing the glass to Harry who looked 
again. 

“Proas!” said he. “I can see now; one has 
turned a little, but they are so far out that they 
hardly see the island, even Mount Hope. In fact, 
I don^t care much if they don’t.” 

“ Why ? ” asked Mr. Purdy in surprise. 

“ I believe they are pirates I ” 

There was a dead silence when this was said, as 
the party gazed at the three little black points in the 
north. 

“Yes!” said Harry, “I am afraid it is a fact. 
Piracy was broken up and driven from the eastern 
seas several years ago but they did not suppress all. 
The great majority, of course, had their vessels 
destroyed, but they managed to get into their ne- 
farious trade again here and there. Now this is on 
the west coast of Malacca and Java, away from their 
old stamping grounds, which proves to me that 


210 


joe's signal code 


these fellows are much better sailors than the usual 
run. Here they may meet rougher sailing, but they 
are safe for a while at least from the strong hand 
of the navies. They have hiding places into which 
they can slip and be safe. Even at this date there 
is piracy on a small scale on the northwest coast of 
Africa almost under the eye of Europe itself. If I 
am right in my conjecture, these ships are really 
more ‘proas' than junks, and if they are pirates, 
the boats are manned by a crowd whom we would 
not wish to meet." 

“ They seem to be disappearing," said Mr. Purdy, 
which was the case, as they were now scarcely vis- 
ible to the unaided eye. 

“I wonder whether they know of this island?" 
asked Joe. 

“ They may, and do not think it worth their while 
to come here," said Harry, “ but if they once knew 
what a prize they could find, I think we should 
have them in our bay in a day's time. Should such 
be the case, we would have to cut loose from shore 
and fight in open water or devise some other method 
of defense. However, for the present we shall not 
be troubled but we must be on our guard. We will 
see what is best to be done to-night when we reach 
the Katharine/' 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 


21 1 


In a half hour the vessels had gone out of sight 
completely, leaving the castaways to resume their 
journey. They found the ground easy to get over, 
along the northern fringe of the forest, and at times 
saw what they supposed were once lookouts on the 
rocks, probably used by the people who built the 
temple, or once inhabited the island. Following the 
coast line they arrived at the northern inlet about 
two o’clock in the afternoon; from which point 
they could see the tops of the Katharine towering 
above the trees of the creek about four miles away. 
The hull and most of the masts were concealed from 
view. From here they followed the beach on the 
hard sand, for the tide was down, arriving at the 
creek about four o’clock, where they found Andy 
busy at the new boat. He had seen the column of 
smoke as well as the light, but had not seen the three 
vessels; his position when at work precluded that. 
Supper being over, a “council of war ” was held in 
the cabin to take action in regard to the strangers, 
the result of which was that the tops were sent 
down, thus effectually concealing the ship from ob- 
servation should anything enter the channels at the 
ends. Then the ship was thoroughly fitted out with 
.repeating rifles and in addition to this there were 
electric connections made, so that a person not ac- 


212 


joe's signal code 


quainted would receive violent shocks at several 
points, such as the gangway from the shore, the 
main cabin and other places on deck. All this cir- 
cuit was put into action by switches controlled from 
the cabin or deck, if desired. The work on the boat 
was hastened now, there being every prospect that 
it would be completed in a short time. Mr. Purdy 
had Frank make for him some flat pieces of thin 
steel from a larger piece. These he took to the dy- 
namo and thoroughly magnetized by passing them 
across the bottom of one of the heavy field pieces 
while the dynamo was running. This made them 
permanent magnetic needles, they being about an 
eighth of an inch in width and a few inches long. 
One of these he placed in a neat wooden box con- 
structed under Harry's directions. In this was a 
center pivot; upon it was swung the new needle, 
which immediately pointed north and south, a card 
was made from a piece of silk and fitted to a light 
metallic hoop; this was lettered by Frank as Joe 
slowly boxed " the compass for him. These com- 
passes worked finely and were put into use at 
once. 

The boat now took on more shape, Andy saying 
that he could finish it in a short time. The mast and 
bowsprit which they decided to use were taken from 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE "" 213 

the spare spars of the Katharine, of which there was 
a good supply. While the work was in progress 
Mr. Purdy and Joe constructed an electric stove 
which could also be used as a heater if necessary. 
This was placed in the temporary galley and even- 
tually proved to be one of the most useful things on 
the ship. 

“ How is the heat generated ? asked Joe. 

You may remember I told you German silver 
was a poor conductor of electricity,” said Mr. 
Purdy. “ Now we will take this German silver wire 
and coil it around the cylinder of baked clay we 
made some time ago for this purpose, winding the 
coils in a spiral and then connecting them in a cir- 
cuit with our current, we at once get the heat by the 
struggle of the electricity through the German silver 
wire. When we have finished with it we simply 
turn off the switch and our fire is extinguished, as 
it were, with no ash, dust, smoke nor gas. The heat 
is simply electrical energy going off in another 
form. We could, if desired, make kitchen boilers 
and other apparatus with the resistance coils at- 
tached to some convenient part and thus cook at 
once without even a stove. Of course, while this 
costs us nothing, it would be rather expensive for 
general use, where, as a rule, the current must 


214 joe's signal code 

be generated by the use of engines, boilers and 
dynamos." 

While Andy was working on the boat, he pre- 
ferred as a general thing to be alone and only asked 
for assistance occasionally when a heavy part had 
to be handled, so a few days after the party returned 
from their trip, he asked that one would assist him 
for an afternoon. This Mr. Purdy volunteered to 
do. While they were at work the rest took the 
Edna and made a trip across the bay for eggs and 
turtles. When they reached the first island, about 
two miles out, Joe sent a message to Mr. Purdy by 
the signal system which the latter received and 
answered by flag. They never neglected an oppor- 
tunity to use the code, but Joe excelled in the art, 
as he had committed the entire list to memory. 
While the party were skirting the islands, Harry 
called their attention to the sight beneath them. At 
that particular point, the water was about twenty 
feet deep and clear as crystal, showing on the white 
sandy bottom, brilliantly colored aquatic plants, in- 
terspersed with marine shells of exquisite tints; 
among these beautiful fishes darted to and fro like 
birds, making an enchanting picture. 

“ They call these ‘ Sea Gardens ' in the West In- 
dies,” said Harry. “ I remember once we put in at 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 


215 




Nassau on one of the Bahamas, where they have 
boats with a thick glass panel in the woodwork, 
through which tourists may get a fine view of the 
bottom of the sea. They also' use a water glass 
which is simply a wooden box about six inches in 
diameter and about eighteen inches long, with a 
piece of window glass fitted into one end, the other 
being open. The glass covered end is put under 
the surface while the observer looks into the open 
end and sees clearly without the troublesome re- 
flection of the water. We will make a few of these 
for our visits here.” 

They passed an hour floating, as it were, in crys- 
tal, over the lovely spot. Then, remembering their 
errand, they landed and had no difficulty in finding 
all the eggs they wanted as well as capturing a fine 
turtle, after which the yacht headed homeward, for 
the ship was now home to them; arriving there late 
in the afternoon. That evening the electric stove 
boiled and baked to perfection the supper for our 
voyagers. . The new boat was under a fair way to 
completion. The stern and heavier timbers having 
been set up before the party made their last western 
trip; these were covered with the plank made some 
time before, so that the hull was almost ready for 
caulking. This was thirty feet in length by eight 


2I6 


joey's signal code 


feet in width, with a depth of four feet. In a few 
days the caulking mauls of the Katherine were 
driving oakum into the seams and then followed the 
pitching of the seams, which was accomplished 
through much tribulation on the part of Andy ; with 
this the hull was ready for launching. 

‘‘ What shall we name her? said Joe, as the boat 
was almost ready to slide down the ways, which in 
this case were simply three well-greased spars. 

“ How will ‘ Rescue '* suit ? suggested Mr. 
Purdy, with a smile. 

“ Just the name,’' said Joe excitedly. “ That’s 
what we will name her — with your permission. Cap- 
tain Henderson,” he added, turning to Harry, with 
gravity. 

But no one dissented, or rather all unanimously 
voted with Joe, so, taking a glass of sea water, he 
poured it on the bow, saying: 

''We name thee Rescue! may we soon see thee 
^fulfill thy mission ! ” 

With this Mr. Purdy moved the last support, let- 
ting the little craft swing into the bay. There was 
no screaming of whistles or playing of bands, or 
booming of guns when that trim little boat saluted 
the waters of the great Indian Ocean, but there 
was one common prayer in the hearts of that small 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 


217 


jj 


party that it would be the means of leading them to 
their loved ones at home who mourned them for 
dead. 

The Rescue sat in the water gracefully, but at the 
same time was not a boat of elegant lines yet she 
had a sharp bow and well molded hull so that she 
might be fast as well as seaworthy, the latter being 
the main object. When the single mast was stepped 
into position and the trim little bowsprit laid into 
place, she began to look the seaboat. It took a few 
days to get the rigging completed, after which the 
whole party boarded it for a sail. They first laid a 
course for their main entrance, which they now 
mapped as “ Providence Channel.’’ The Rescue be- 
haved beautifully, obeying her rudder like any other 
well regulated boat. Soon the reef girt channel was 
passed, when the boat breasted the swell with ease. 
Rounding Promontory Point, they glided into the 
mouth of Oil Creek in as good time as the Edna 
was capable of doing it. They did not attempt to 
ascend the creek on account of the difficulty of sail- 
ing within such narrow limits. 

Again making a sweep to the west, they observed 
that their beacon in the far north, as well as that on 
Mount Hope, was all right. Retracing their route, 
they again doubled Promontory Point, bringing 


2i8 


joe's signal code 


Providence Channel into view. By this time the 
wind had freshened, causing a heavier sea, but the 
little boat met it bravely, showing very good 
qualities, and so after a run of some miles to the 
seaward, they returned to the quiet waters of the bay 
well satisfied with their trial trip. 

A small cabin was yet needed to be built and 
comforts provided for the crew and the ballast being 
only temporary, one of a permanent character must 
be found and placed in order to fully complete the 
little craft. When they returned to the ship they 
were delighted with the prospect of an early voyage; 
for in a few days the boat could be completed and 
ready for use. There was a cabin with berths for 
six; even a corner was reserved for the cook. The 
stowage space was utilized in every possible way. 
The hull had been painted before launching, so that 
nothing remained to be done in that line, but paint- 
ing the name, which Frank volunteered to do. 

The middle of October had been reached before 
the Rescue was in readiness for a voyage of any 
length, but as yet no route had been determined 
upon. They, of course, knew that the island lay 
anywhere from eight hundred to a thousand miles 
west of the nearest land, which might be Sumatra 
or Java, and it would be no light task to undertake 


THE LAUNCHING OF THE RESCUE 2ig 

the journey. They could almost depend upon the 
weather being fair during the dry season; but storms 
might arise, and as yet, the new boat was really un- 
tried for a gale. It also remained to be decided as 
to the number and personality of the crew. There 
ought to be two, if not more, and one of these should 
be an experienced sailor, so that it was evident 
Harry or Andy should be one of the crew, but the 
former thought it best to stay by his vessel as long 
as there was any hope of rescuing her, thus it would 
devolve upon the faithful German to navigate the 
vessel. Before the trip was made, however, they 
intended to visit the mysterious land of the smoke, 
to the north. There might be people on the island 
and even means of communication with the outside 
world. Harry thought the land might be thirty or 
forty miles away, while it might even far exceed 
that. With a fair wind, the Rescue should make this 
in eight hours or less. Allowing one day for ex-_ 
plorations, it was fair to presume that the boat could 
return on the third day or thereabouts, according to 
wind and tide. The possibility of meeting piratical 
craft was not taken into consideration. If those 
seen from the island were junks, they would not be 
able to cope with the Rescue in speed; but if they 
were Malay proas (which was just possible), then 


220 


joe's signal code 


the case might be different. It being Friday even- 
ing when all was in readiness, the trip was planned 
for the following Monday, the next day being 
devoted to mounting and putting into operation a 
search-light, of which there were six in the cargo, 
all intended for the Spanish Government at Manila. 
This light would have been in position before but 
for the work on the Rescue. Joe was particularly 
anxious for this, as he wanted to try the code made 
for him by Miss Helen Littell. 

‘‘ But who will get our signals ? " asked Mr. 
Purdy, smiling at his eagerness. 

“ Why, any ship that is in sight of the ray ! " said 
Joe. “You see there is no doubt that some ship 
will pass that has a copy, don’t you think ? ” 

“ How would they get hold of that particular 
code? ” asked Mr. Purdy. 

“ Why, couldn’t the Littell people have given it 
to the Marine News and have them on the lookout ? ” 
said he, earnestly. 

“ No, I am afraid not ! ” 

“ Why?” 

“ Because they think we are dead.” 

Poor Joe ! He had not thought of that. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 

The searchlight was brought out of its case, in 
which it had been carefully packed for the voyage. 
On account of the bow of the Katharine being well 
into the creek at this time, and somewhat hidden 
by the adjacent banks, it was thought best to mount 
it on the cabin deck for the present, where it would 
have more sweep; in fact, it could command the 
bay entirely. The dynamo' was now run in daytime 
only, the storage batteries furnishing sufficient cur- 
rent for all practical purposes after being charged, 
and this current could be used for two nights in 
succession ; the consumption not being heavy on the 
ship. 

Monday dawned bright and clear. The Rescue 
was quite ready for the trip. Harry, Mr. Purdy and 
Andy constituted the crew, while Frank and Joe 
were to remain to keep the island down,” as the 
latter said, although it was hard for him to conceal 
his true feelings when he saw the final preparations 


221 


222 


joe's signal code 


made. After breakfast, the two boats moved out 
into the bay. With the exception of Andy and Toby, 
who were on the Edna, the entire party took the Res- 
cue. The breeze being favorable, they reached the 
northern entrance in about half an hour. Here a 
change was made, after bidding each other fare- 
well; Frank and Joe, with the dog, taking the Edna, 
which accompanied the sailboat out to sea for a 
mile, and then, with a parting cheer, the boats rap- 
idly separated. Joe and Frank watched their friends 
from the islands at the northern entrance until they 
disappeared on the blue watery waste about an hour 
later. For the first time since the castaways were 
thrown on the island, Joe felt lonely. True, there 
had been excursions to the interior in which he had 
not participated, but all these were on land,” or 
in the neighborhood, and, it seemed, in a hospitable 
country, but iiow it was as if across the sea. 

That night he saw that the arc lights were run to 
the highest power, so that the mariners could see 
them if in range. 

The party on the Rescue left the launch after bid- 
ding all farewell, and now sailed directly to the 
north, on the course indicated by the column of 
smoke, Harry having carefully determined this from 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


223 


observations made prior to starting. Their compass, 
although home made, worked like a charm. As a 
matter of fact, they had also two of smaller size 
for pocket use with them, there having been enough 
made for the boats and other use. 

Gradually the cliffs on the north shore of Hudson 
Island sank in the southern horizon, so that by two 
o’clock the summit of Mount Hope dimly showed 
over the blue sea in their rear. There was a light 
southern breeze that gave them a speed of about six 
knots an hour, while the day was perfect. About 
three o’clock in the afternoon they sighted a coast 
ahead, still twenty miles away, lying apparently 
low, for they could only distinguish the broad tree 
tops as if standing in water. As they approached, 
the coast it showed a low, flat shore, covered with 
tropical trees to the water’s edge. 

An atoll ! ” said Harry. See the shore line 
curving away on both sides of us, and yonder is 
the opening tO' the lagoon inside. It’s lucky we 
found it right here, for this one is probably fifteen 
miles around.” 

“ Is it a coral formation ? ” asked, Mr. Purdy. 

Yes! this one is, and I suppose all of them are. 
You see this passage is probably two hundred yards 
long, that is the belt of land is about that wide and 


224 


joe's signal code 


the water is apparently five miles across. When we 
reach the inside we shall find it as calm as a mill 
pond.” 

The atoll, which was now close at hand, was sim- 
ply a circular belt of land about fifteen miles around, 
enclosing a beautiful sheet of water, free from the 
disturbing swell of the sea. As they sailed into the 
entrance, through which a large ship could easily 
pass, they could see that the land was covered with 
cocoanut and palm trees down to the water’s edge. 
Inside there was a solemn silence, tempered, as it 
were, by the low roll of the surf on the outside beach. 
The contrast was so decided that for a moment not 
a word was uttered. 

‘^Well!” said Mr. Purdy, I am disappointed. 
This is a natural novelty, or rather, a freak of na- 
ture, but we are now looking for humanity of some 
kind, as a first step toward getting to civilization.” 

Harry, however, was busy with the glass, and, 
handing it to Mr. Purdy, he said : 

“ What do you make out of that object? ” point- 
ing to a dark thing about half a mile from the en- 
trance. *Tt looks like a hull or a wreck, but how 
did it get in here? ” 

The breeze had died down somewhat and made 
their progress slow; so that it was some little time 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


225 


before they had reached the point on the shore where 
the object lay, almost covered by the waters of the 
lagoon. 

“ That explains the mystery of the smoke,” said 
Mr. Purdy, as they approached. “ It’s a ship, or 
what was once a ship, and it has been destroyed by 
fire; no doubt it broke out, so they came in here 
for safety, and afterward the crew escaped in their 
boats.” 

But Harry looked a little puzzled. 

“ That theory might answer, but there’s another 
just above it,” said he, as they rounded the sunken 
fire-scarred hull. 

“ Dot one was burnt too ! ” said Andy. 

“ This only confirms my suspicions regarding the 
three strange sails we saw from our island,” said 
Harry. 

“ Do you mean that these ships were destroyed 
by pirates ? ” said Mr. Purdy. 

Yes J that’s just what I think. They harbor 
here and pounce upon some unsuspecting merchant- 
man, which they tow in and destroy after they have 
murdered the crew and rifled it. A ship on fire at 
sea might be put out by some chance, or even at- 
tract assistance, and there being found the evidences 
of a struggle, it would point to piracy, so they tow 


226 


joe's signal code 


them into these lonely lagoons, where no one ever 
enters, and burn them. There may be more here 
if we only knew it. It makes me shudder to think 
of the fate of the poor fellows who manned these 
vessels. They are not large, and fell easy victims 
to these miscreants, because they thought there were 
no more pirates in these seas, never suspecting any 
foes in the innocent looking native craft. If it 
wasn’t so late in the day, I would say let’s get out of 
this, but as this is safe anchorage, we had probably 
better remain until morning, then decide whether 
to go on or return. The island we supposed to be 
hereabouts, turns out to be a pirate’s rendezvous.” 

‘‘ Do you think they are Malays ? ” said Mr. 
Purdy. 

'‘Yes! I rather think so,” said Harry. “They 
are better sailors than the Chinese, and would ven- 
ture out more to the high seas. Now, of course, this 
is only my opinion of the place. What do you 
think of it?” 

“ I think you are right I The place has an un- 
canny look to me, anyhow; coupled with this sight, 
it almost gives me the ‘ shivers,’ ” said Mr. Purdy. 
“ Under other circumstances it might be something 
of a satisfaction, if not a pleasure, to explore this 
singular place, but now it seems as dismal as the 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 22/ 

Catacombs. I shall be glad when we are out on hon- 
est blue water again.” 

By this time the Rescue had found its way close 
inshore, guided by Andy, who was at the tiller. The 
sun had almost gone down in the west. In a short 
space of time the island would be wrapped in dark- 
ness. Mr. Purdy had prepared the evening meal 
as they approached the atoll, so that they were ready 
to turn in for the night if they felt so disposed. The 
boat was swung around again toward the entrance, 
when Andy, in a low voice, called Harry’s attention 
to the channel. To their astonishment they beheld 
in the dim twilight two large proas coming through, 
moved by sweeps, the wind having died down. The 
newcomers apparently did not see the Rescue, as the 
daylight had now almost disappeared and, lying 
close inshore, it would be hard tO' distinguish her 
against the background of trees. 

'' For the present I do not think they will see us, 
so we are safe, but we must get near to the entrance 
and cut and run if necessary. We will trust to Prov- 
idence, and these rifles,” said Harry, as he picked 
up his Winchester, 43 calibre. '‘We have each one 
hundred cartridges for defense, if necessary, but we 
don’t want to fight unless we are forced to it.” 

By this time the night had fallen with that quick- 


228 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


ness peculiar to the tropics. They could distinctly 
see the two craft on account of the lights, that 
seemed to be rather numerous, and hear much dis- 
order among the crews. Slowly creeping along the 
shore, our voyagers came tO' within a few hundred 
yards of the strangers, and then stopped and listened. 
Harry, 'who could understand some of their lan- 
guage, heard them give the order for anchoring, 
when they were not far away from the entrance. 
This made it awkward, as the Rescue would have 
to pass close by the second vessel in order to make 
the channel, and now that the tide was rising, and 
the current was setting inward strongly, they must 
exercise patience and wait; but it would be on the 
ebb in a few hours, so until then they would be 
practically helpless. 

There was no difficulty in letting their boat drift 
back again, completely out of hearing distance, and 
at the same time be safe from anyone who might 
take a notion to prowl along the shore. When they 
came to a standstill, they could yet see the lights 
moving to and fro, as if there was considerable work 
being done on the strangers. 

‘‘ It's difficult tO' say what it means," said Harry. 
“ They may be repairing damages, but they are not 
storm damages, for we have not had any storms for 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


229 


a long time. They are evidently getting ready for 
something, and I think it’s going to take them longer 
than we can wait — if we are determined to go, which 
may not be the wise thing under the circum- 
stances.” 

‘‘ How will it do to cross over to the other side 
and cover our boat with branches, so as to conceal 
her until the track is clear ? ” said Mr. Purdy. 

That’s just the thing,” responded Harry. ‘‘We 
have a drift that way, anyhow, so we will keep her 
to it until we get through.” 

So the little vessel drifted, aided some by oars, un- 
til the other side of the great circle was reached. 
They could but dimly see a light now and then on 
the other side, but felt so secure that all three were 
soon wrapped in slumber. Andy was up and ashore 
before daylight the next morning. In a short time 
he had a supply of green branches ready for trim- 
ming, which was soon done. The strangers still 
held the channel, never dreaming of anyone else 
being near them. While the little crew was taking 
its breakfast, Andy called out for them to look to 
the north. There, far away, they saw a column of 
smoke rising skyward. It . was fully twenty miles 
distant. For a while they watched it, when Mr. 
Purdy said : 


230 


joe's signal code 


“ That’s not half as far from us now as we are 
from our island, don’t you think ? ” 

‘‘ Yes,” said Harry, “ but look over there,” point- 
ing to the opposite side. To their astonishment a 
similar column was now ascending into the air. 
Black, heavy looking smoke; evidently the fire was 
fed with some smoke-producing substance. 

“ I am of the opinion,” continued he, that if we 
are correct as to the character of our neighbors, that 
the first smoke was signaling to these pirates that 
a vessel of some kind was on its way past here, and 
now these fellows are answering it, but we shall 
know it before long, as they will now watch for the 
unsuspecting stranger and make an attack, if they 
think they can overpower him. From what little we 
saw and heard last night, there are at least a hun- 
dred on the two pirate vessels, while their victim 
may have not over twenty-five men, and unarmed at 
that. What wouldn’t we give for only one of the 
America's light rapid-fire guns ! If the coming ship 
is only an ordinary sailer it ought to pass here by 
ten o’clock, and these scoundrels will get in their 
work — and horrid work it will be ! — Oh ! if only we 
could head them off ! ” 

The land surrounding the lagoon was only a few 
hundred yards wide at the most. Hastily springing 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


231 


ashore, Harry and Andy made their way to the outer 
beach, from which they could command a wide range 
of the ocean, Mr. Purdy, in the meanwhile, keep- 
ing watch on the inside. About two hours later, 
they caught sight of a vessel hull down in the hor- 
izon, sailing due east. The pirates' prey had es- 
caped! With feelings of joy they came back to the 
Rescue and told Mr. Purdy, who had seen no change 
in the position of the enemy; who were no doubt 
disappointed in their calculations; but would they 
remain ? 

To-night," said Harry, we will leave here, 
even at a risk. We must get back to the island and 
make ready for the visit that they certainly will pay 
us sooner or later. Now -we are certain that there 
are others in these seas besides this gang. The tide 
will be on the ebb about ten to-night, and then we 
will try it." 

Their rifle magazines were filled, ready for an 
action they wished to avoid, and precaution taken 
against noise of any kind. As far as practicable 
the branches were left in place, so as to show as 
much green as possible. There was not much breeze, 
so when the Rescue approached the opposite side, it 
was nearly midnight. A few lights showed the posi- 
tions of the vessels, but the little crew well knew 


232 


joe's signal code 


that their enemy was a wary one. Silent as a phan- 
tom was their approach; the faint breeze that had 
assisted them now died away, leaving the boat to 
drift or be urged with a pair of oars, with which 
they were provided. One of the pirates had swung 
around,with the tide, so that there was but a narrow 
chance to get around her stern, as they did not want 
to run the risk of fouling on her anchor cable, which 
was stretched out from her bow. Silently they 
moved; in a few more minutes they would be in 
the current of the ebbing tide, setting seaward. Mr. 
Purdy stood on deck with rifle ready, while two 
more lay on the deck beside the rowers, who were 
slowly moving their craft with long measured 
strokes. Already they felt the influence of the cur- 
rent, just abreast of them. They could almost look 
upon the deck of the pirate, as they nearly brushed 
her stern, upon the cabin of which sat a man, ap- 
parently looking forward, totally oblivious to his 
surroundings. He was evidently dozing. Suddenly, 
as the last stroke of the oars sent the Rescue clear 
of her stern, into the current, Andy's oar made a 
jump in the rowlock. The sleeper jumped to his 
feet and peered over one side, fortunately the wrong 
one for him, then over the other, by which time the 
Rescue was rapidly increasing the distance between 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


233 


them. Then there was a hail, and answers from the 
other boat, which only confused them more. During 
this time Harry had taken the bow, with a light 
showing ahead, and directed the Rescue safely out 
into the open sea. When they were at last out of 
reach of the enemy, the light breeze that had been 
cut off by the land, again caught them; setting their 
course southward, they were now homeward bound. 

‘‘ If those fellows saw us at all,” said Mr. Purdy, 
“ they either were confused by our holiday attire, 
or maybe thought we were some evil spirits. At 
any rate, we are safe now; but how they would set 
sail for the island, if they only knew how matters 
stood there.” 

“ I am afraid now that' it’s only a matter of time 
until they do find us,” said Harry, “ but we won’t 
worry over it just yet. Let us be thankful for our 
easy escape this time, for those fellows know no 
mercy. We were somewhat disappointed in our 
trip, yet we now know how the land lies hereabouts.” 

Sending Andy and Mr. Purdy below for much- 
needed rest, he took the little vessel in charge over 
that lonely sea until relieved by Andy at daybreak. 
Holding on their course, they left the atoll, with its 
unpleasant recollections, behind them, and shortly 
afterward had the pleasure of seeing Mount Hope 


234 


joe's signal code 


gradually rise above the rim of the sea. When they 
were within a few miles of the Northern Inlet, with 
the aid of their glass they saw Frank and Joe wait- 
ing for them, and read Joe’s signal, “Welcome!” 
“ All well 1 ” and other messages, to which reply was 
made as soon as the distance decreased, for Joe had 
no glass. The happy boy could scarcely wait until 
the Rescue was alongside, when he jumped aboard, 
with the inseparable Toby at his heels, and hugged 
the whole crew with delight. He had so many ques- 
tions to ask, about the new boat and its trip, they 
could scarcely answer them intelligently. 

“ Now, Joe! ” said Mr. Purdy, “ I am afraid you 
will be disappointed when we tell you that the mys- 
terious smoke was made by people to whom we did 
not even speak.” 

“Were they pirates?” said Joe, guessing at the 
truth. 

“ Yes ! we think so, and in fact, are almost certain 
they are; we gave them an unceremonious slip last 
night,” and then he related the whole trip to them. 

“How many do you think there were?” asked 
Frank. 

“ There might be about fifty to each vessel,” re- 
plied Harry. 

“ The odds are great, supposing they attack us, 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


235 


but we shall come out all right, I think. We will 
fortify at once, and adopt means for safety, and 
then exercise vigilance. It is just likely that we 
may never have a visit from them. They certainly 
know something of our island, for they probably 
have seen it from a distance, as we first saw them 
from the north shore, but they do not dream of 
finding a vessel here, where, in fact, they think one 
cannot come. So, on the whole, we may not have 
any trouble, for the present, at least. Whatever our 
next cruise will be, we must determine later.’^ 

By this time they had arrived at the creek and 
soon were again on board the ship. That night 
they discussed their strange and unexpected adven- 
ture at the atoll, which' probably would cause a 
change in their plans. It was almost confidently ex- 
pected that they would meet inhabitants who, in 
some way or other, had communication with trading 
vessels visiting their islands, and through this means, 
at last be released from their peculiar position. 

But now, instead of immediately sailing on an- 
other tack, they lost no time in making ready to 
place the ship in better position to fight a merciless 
foe, should the necessity arise. Firearms and am- 
munition they had in abundance, and all on board 
were trained in their use, but the marvelous precision 


236 JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 

and rapidity of Frank’s firing was always applauded. 
These practices were held daily, so that an attack, 
if not made in the dead of night, would meet with 
a warm reception. There was no doubt that, with 
some care, the pirates could get their light vessels 
through the inlets at either end of the bay. It was 
decided that, for the present, only the search-light 
should be used at night; all the arc lights being dis- 
continued, much to the disappointment of the mon- 
keys, who', for some reason or other, delighted in 
playing in their bright beams. Their stock of naph- 
tha was increased. The sea was thoroughly scanned 
and for this purpose patrol trips were made fre- 
quently to the Western Bay. 

Inasmuch as the search-light was in position and 
plenty of current on hand, Mr. Purdy taught Joe to 
connect it into the circuit and work it. Joe’s code, 
that Miss Littell had made, was brought out and 
gone over. The light being of twenty thousand can- 
dle power projected a beam that was startling in 
its effect. When thrown on the Northern Inlet, 
about four miles distant, a small vessel might have 
been seen if it had found its way through. In like 
manner it swept the bay far to the south. 

But the most interesting thing to Joe, and per- 
haps to the others also, was the signaling in Morse 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 


23; 

telegraph letters. For instance, the word “ Help 

is represented by . The beam of 

light was always first raised to the sky to about the 
angle of forty-five degrees. Thus, for the word 
above given, the beam was first raised, then dropped 

four times for “H”; instantly it was raised 

and held for a second and dropped once, - for “ E ” ; 
in like manner it was raised again, then dropped and 
held there for about three seconds for “ L,” and 

then five more motions for Anyone 

who could follow the Morse code or who could tel- 
egraph, would at once read this as “ HELP;” as 
it was necessarily slow, it was easy to follow. They 
were all delighted with the possibility of this 
method, for sea signaling. By it anything could 
be expressed, whereas, a code of numbers was neces- 
sarily limited. 

That night Mr. Purdy made the word, and then 
Joe repeated it twice with ease, before shutting off 
the lamp for the night. But that phantom beam, as 
it broadened up from its narrow focus into the sky, 
was not lost ; other eyes saw it, and wondered where 
it came from and what its meaning might be. The 
good ship Laurence, bound from Norfolk, U. S. A., 
with a cargo of coal for Hong Kong, was sailing 
with a fair breeze, headed for Sunda Strait, and 


238 


joe's signal code 


was now running south on a course that carried her 
parallel with Hudson Island, less than twenty miles 
east. Her captain, Henry Hobbs, was just looking 
over his chart, which indicated several atolls in this 
vicinity, when his first mate called his attention to 
a beam of light that was being thrown into the 
sky. 

search-light!" said Captain Hobbs; ‘‘proba- 
bly there’s a man-of-war over there, hull down." 

Then the ray sank low on the horizon and moved 
here and there, when it again raised to a point about 
midway to the zenith, then it rapidly sank to the 
water’s edge; four times it did this, then once, then 
it raised and dropped, staying down some seconds, 
and this, after an interval of a second, was followed 
by five more motions. 

“ That’s some kind of a signal," said Hobbs. 
“ Did you notice how regular it was ? There it goes 
again, — four — one — one long — ^five — same as be- 
fore. Strange how a fellow can read a thing when 
he knows what’s coming," and leaning on the rail 

they saw it for the third time , 

after which it disappeared. 

“ I am going to make a note of that," said Hobbs. 
“ Who knows what it may mean ? Anyhow, I will 
report it at Hong Kong, be what it may." 


THE SEARCH-LIGHT 239 

Captain Hobbs made the following entry on his 
log: 

Oct. 25, 1894. About nine o’clock this evening 
saw a ray of light on sky to the west. Looked like 
search-light. The beam made same signal three 
times in succession, by throwing beam up and down; 
four — one — one long — five — and then disappeared. 

Latitude : 7 degrees, 16 minutes South. 

‘‘Longitude: 92 degrees, 16 minutes East.” 


CHAPTER XXIV 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 

It was a great disappointment to the castaways to 
have their first voyage result so unfavorably, but 
they believed there was a Providence in it after all. 
Up to this time they never entertained a thought of 
troublesome visitors and much less of pirates. Now 
the stern reality was forced upon them, and they 
could guard against it. In order that every possible 
chance for meeting a vessel at sea might be made 
available, the Rescue took trips seaward, lasting 
sometimes a whole day, in the hope of crossing the 
track of something bound to or from some eastern 
port. Generally there were two in the crew on such 
occasions, of which Harry or Andy was one. Joe 
was a frequent passenger, and, for that matter, 
could now sail the boat capitally. 

Mr. Purdy made for these trips heliograph in- 
struments from some pieces of mirror, one of which 
Joe always took with him, sending back signals at 
240 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 


241 


stated times. He had become so expert with the 
Morse telegraph code that he could transmit and re- 
ceive messages readily with the bright reflection 
from the mirrors. These signals were not only for 
amusement; they were also intended for attracting 
attention in case a distant vessel was sighted, but 
the sea was apparently deserted, for they never even 
caught sight of one. Neither did they see any more 
smoke signals in the north, so that apprehensions 
from that quarter became less; yet it was not thought 
prudent to weaken their forces for some time to 
come. 

These sea trips or patrols never showing the least 
sign of vessels in this lonely sea, it was determined 
to fit out the Rescue for a long voyage to the nearest 
mainland, which was supposed to be the Island of 
Java. For this purpose, provisions of the most com- 
pact kind were gotten ready, as it might take ten or 
twelve days to reach land. Every inch of space was 
utilized, so that by the end of December the prepara- 
tions were nearly completed. Andy and Mr. Purdy 
were ready to make the trip, there being but little 
risk at this time of the year, and the seaworthiness 
of the Rescue was now established. While the little 
boat was receiving some slight alterations, prepara- 
tory to being fitted out for the voyage, a trip was 


242 joe's signal CODE 

arranged to explore across the Western Bay and 
thence north through the country lying along the 
diagonal ridge or water shed that stretched from 
Mount Hope to the Northern Beacon. 

Andy said he wanted at least two days to give the 
hull of the Rescue a couple more coats of paint, and 
then had some other parts to strengthen prior to 
loading, so that it might be three days before a start 
was made. The next morning the explorers, with 
Andy as engineer, started early with the Edna for 
the southern end of the bay, landing at the base of 
Mount Hope, where Andy left them, returning to his 
work. The day was bright and pleasant, a cool 
breeze was coming in from the ocean, tempering the 
heat of the sun. As usual, each member of the party 
was armed, and in addition, carried a few necessary 
articles for the preparation of meals. Their as- 
cent of the eastern base of the elevation was neces- 
sarily slow, but when the high plateau was reached, 
Mr. Purdy proposed that now being so near the 
beacon on the summit, it would be well to visit it, 
as it was only a half mile more to the south. As 
they approached the summit, he called the attention 
of the party to the mount-like eminence upon which 
the beacon stood. This was still intact, but the 
tropical growth of one season had already begun to 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 


243 


shoot up so rapidly that it was thought best to clear 
it away, which was accomplished in a brief time, 
showing the blue ocean stretching dreamily away 
from three sides of the island. 

One would scarcely think that it is the same 
cruel sea that threatened us with destruction for 
days!” said Frank. “I am inclined to think that 
the tropics are exerting some sort of influence over 
me, for I feel as though I could look at that beautiful 
picture for time indefinite and be happy, were it not 
for our situation.” 

In truth, the view was enchanting. Far out to 
where the sky and water joined, the blue waters 
shimmered and glistened, sending the reflections of 
the bright morning sun back to the eye from myriads 
of points. Down at the bay, of which they could 
see a goodly part, the swell was breaking itself gently 
against the rocks and small islets that formed the 
barrier between the ocean and the bay. To the 
west they could see it breaking on the shores of 
Western Bay, only interrupted where the waters of 
Oil Creek brought its iridescent sheen from the in- 
terior and spread'it over the waters near its mouth. 

I wish we had a pagoda here. Wouldn’t it be 
nice to spend some of the warm weather in such 
a place? ” said Joe. 


244 


joe's signal code 


“ I don't know but that there was one here in time 
gone by/’ said Harry. “Look at this mound; it’s 
almost too regular in shape to be natural.” 

“ See here ! ” exclaimed Mr. Purdy, acting on the 
suggestion, and digging into the soil with a stake 
he had cut. “ Here is masonry joined in the same 
manner that we saw in the ruined temple. This was 
evidently a lookout or, perhaps, a summer pagoda, 
as Harry says; but who were these mysterious peo- 
ple that built all this massive work and left no rec- 
ord except such as we now see ? ” 

They left the beacon and proceeded to descend the 
western slope, intending to cross Oil Creek near its 
head, where they could ford it at low tide. Toby 
being in the advance, as usual, raised flock after flock 
of game birds, which were not disturbed further, 
as there was no need of provisions. When they had 
followed the slope to the north for some distance, 
they turned to the west, catching Oil Creek near its 
upper source, where it was easily crossed, then pro- 
ceeding southward they came to the petroleum spring 
about noon, tired and hungry. Here Mr. Purdy, as- 
sisted by Joe, soon got up an excellent dinner from 
their stores and the fruits growing in plenty on all 
sides. After dinner they devoted a little time to 
putting the oil still in good order, then resumed their 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 245 

march to the north, intending to pass somewhat to 
the west of the temple. 

“ I think we ought to be thankful that we have 
not thus far seen a poisonous reptile of any kind,” 
said Harry. There are not many places favored 
like this.” 

‘‘ Maybe our former inhabitants settled that mat- 
ter,” responded Frank. “ They may have extermi- 
nated them. If they did, we certainly owe them a 
vote of thanks, even at this late day.” 

“ Nevertheless,” said Harry, we must be care- 
ful; there might be some; but I am inclined to think 
the island is entirely free from them.” 

Evening brought them out to the west coast, 
where they camped for the night. They had plenty 
of water from the pitcher plant, which grew in 
abundance. Neither did they neglect Toby, who was 
provided with food and water regularly. After ex- 
amining the coast thoroughly and finding nothing 
to claim attention, they retired for the night, Toby 
alone acting as guard; but nothing disturbed that 
peaceful Eden, all sleeping soundly on their impro- 
vised couches of palm leaves, until the morning sun 
called them forth. 

After prayer, for they never retired or arose from 
rest without first committing themselves to God’s 


246 


joe's signal code 


care, or asking His protection, they made their prep- 
arations for the day, intending to return via the 
Temple and Fairy Lake, their course lying on their 
former trail, which brought the party to the ruins 
about noon, where they halted for dinner and a rest. 
The marvelous architecture, as well as its immens- 
ity, afforded them food for conversation until they 
arrived at Fairy Lake, which to-day surpassed itself 
in beauty. 

“ I have no doubt," said Mr. Purdy, ‘‘ that this 
place was a sort of public park once; a more restful 
place I never saw. It is peace, perfect peace." 

“ Unless we except the view from Mount Hope," 
said Frank, ‘‘ but for that matter, the island is 
rest and peace in itself. I have a proposition to 
make," continued he. “ Now that we are here to- 
gether, Andy excepted, and may be separated soon ; 
I propose that we will not give up this favored spot 
after we once are rescued, but that we settle it and 
visit it in company, if possible, at stated intervals, 
all details to be fixed hereafter." 

The notion carried unanimously and Frank was 
then and there chosen President of the Hudson 
Island Improvement Co., which was to be incorpo- 
rated under the laws of the State of New York just 
as soon as it was practicable to have it done. 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 


247 


“ Now ! ’’ said Harry, since we have taken some 
tangible steps in the matter, I predict that this will 
be a great coffee producing island.” 

‘‘ Coffee? ” said Joe, ''where is there any? ” 

" Just across the way. Do you see that array of 
growth over there with those peculiar berries? 
That’s coffee. I think the whole western side of the 
island is best adapted to it, although it will grow 
anywhere here. I noticed this before, but since none 
of us use the article, it never attracted my attention 
amid so many other things. So you see we have, 
with our other blessings, coffee and petroleum 
enough to enrich us if developed.” 

" And pearls ! ” added Joe. " There are lots of 
them in the creek; I really think we haven’t begun 
with them. Just day before yesterday I was trying 
to see whether the ship had fouled much, by using 
our water glass ; when I saw something on the sandy 
bottom, down about twenty feet, on closer examina- 
tion I found pearl oysters lying there in large quan- 
tities. So we might add that to our list.” 

" And do not forget our magnificent water 
power,” said Mr. Purdy, pointing to the islet dotted 
lake in front of them. " This alone is worth more 
than pearls when we think what it can and will yet 
do for us.” 


248 


joe's signal code 


So the cheery meeting adjourned and the party 
turned toward the foot of the lake to make their way 
homeward. Frank shot a few fine ducks which 
Toby proudly brought out from the lake, into which 
they had fallen, while Joe, after some trouble, cap- 
tured a young monkey which he secured with a small 
strap around its waist. At first Toby was inclined 
to resent its presence, but that wore off soon, so that 
the little creature soon allowed itself to be carried 
in Joe’s arms without a struggle. 

They had not more than gotten down to the creek, 
when they heard a halloo from Andy who was com- 
ing with the Edna, having heard Frank’s gun shots 
out at the mouth. Our tired travelers rejoiced at 
the sight, and were soon gliding down with the ebb 
tide. Nor was Andy forgotten, for they compli- 
mented him upon his prompt and thoughtful 
service. 

When they reached the cabin, Joe placed Master 
Binks, as he called him, in confinement until he 
would become domesticated. That evening the 
Rescue was almost ready for her trip, having re- 
ceived the last coat of paint just a few hours before. 
Harry made a chart from memory, giving Andy 
sailing directions and other instructions for the trip 
which might consume from one to two weeks, ac- 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 249 

cording to weather encountered. It was not desir- 
able to load too deeply, yet a sufficient supply of 
food and water must be taken so that when the little 
craft was ready with its passengers, it probably was 
down to the full load line. 

On January 5, almost one year from the day the 
Katharine was so miraculously cast into the em- 
brace of the island, the Rescue started on its errand 
for help. It was not so simple a matter as might 
appear at first sight, for there was an unknown sea 
to be crossed, the extent of which could only be 
guessed. Even when land was reached, it might 
take a long time and there might be serious delays 
in sending assistance to those left behind. The day 
was bright and fair when the two craft again held 
company until their arrival at the northern entrance, 
where the final farewells were spoken; at which 
Joe almost broke down, nor was he alone in this, 
for the little party had become united so firmly by 
the common dangers and exile of the past year that 
it was more like a family than otherwise. When 
the Rescue was fairly out to sea, Joe signaled to 
them by his heliograph, to which Mr. Purdy re- 
sponded, and then the little boat disappeared even 
from the field of the glass, after which the party 
returned to the Katharine, Frank proposed a trip 


250 joe's signal code 

with the Edna to the southern inlet to examine the 
beacons, to which all assented, even taking Toby 
with them, much tO' his delight. When they reached 
Providence Channel, they found everything in 
order; the buoys were in proper positions and all the 
guide beacons standing in place. 

“ Do you think a large vessel like ours would try 
to come inside tO' anchor by following the course 
between the floating buoys? ” asked Joe. 

Well ! no,” said Harry. If a large vessel 
came here, the captain could see at a glance that it 
would not pass and so would not attempt it. Just 
how we got in will never be known as it was night, 
and we might yet get out if we had a steam tug to 
tow us, but it would be madness to try to sail out 
or work her out. If we were to strike a rock, the 
chances are that the tide would soon have us to the 
bottom. If the Rescue gets into port; it will not be 
long until a steam vessel will be sent to our relief; 
for we have a small one belonging to the Red Cross 
Line that may be in Hong Kong now, or will be 
soon, as she makes short coast trips only.” 

“ Do you think the America was caught in our 
storm ? ” asked Joe. 

“ That's more than I can say, as she was not to 
start until a week or ten days later than we did. 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 


25 


At any rate she could have easily gotten through 
it. We did, in spite of the fact that we were short 
handed. Yes ! I think she weathered it all right.” 

After they got through, the yacht was headed for 
the ship, where the party sought rest from the heat, 
but finding that toO' great, they ascended the creek 
to Fairy Lake, with its shady and cool retreats. 
Here they remained until late in the afternoon, re- 
turning for supper, which Joe and Frank prepared. 

Since the trip to the atoll, the dynamo was run 
only enough to supply the needs of a few incandes- 
cent lamps and such arc lamps as were deemed 
necessary. As all current was first charged in the 
storage battery, it sufficed with only a few days’ 
work each week. Joe took charge of the plant, oc- 
casionally practicing with the search-light, becom- 
ing very proficient in its use. That night he stood 
behind the lantern, throwing the beams seaward in 
hopes that if the Rescue were within reach, they 
might see it. 

How far are they now ? ” he asked. 

‘‘They left about ten o’clock; it is now eight in 
the evening, so they are just ten hours out and with 
an indifferent breeze making, say, four miles an 
hour, would put them out say thirty-five miles,” said 
Frank, “ so I don’t think they can see your ray now.” 


252 


joe's signal code 


But as it afterward proved, the Rescue was be- 
calmed about twenty-five miles from the island and 
saw Joe’s light on the horizon, relieving part of the 
dreary night for the two mariners. 

What is that out to sea? ” said Frank, the fol- 
lowing afternoon; “it flashes like a heliograph. 
Can it be the Rescue is returning? ” 

The flashes were regular enough to attract their 
attention; Joe gazed at it intently, then suddenly 
called out: 

“ She’s returning ! Look ! There it is again ! ” 

Slowly and steadily came the reflected light from 
seaward, catching the rays of the sun, now toward 
the west. 

“ What are they saying? ” said Frank. “ I can’t 

read it.’’ - -- said the 

flashes from the little black speck, now just visible 
by aid of the glass. 

“ Pirates! ” cried Joe; then sweeping the horizon 
with the glass Harry made out a few little points 
on the horizon in the east. 

“ If they are being chased, there is still a distance 
of ten miles between them, but those Malays can 
outsail our little boat, two to one.” 

The Edna was quickly brought alongside; Frank 
looked to the arms while Harry replenished the 


PREPARING FOR PIRATES 


253 


supply of naphtha and in the meanwhile Joe placed 
aboard a couple of kegs of water and some provi- 
sions, under Harry’s directions. 

We do not yet know how long we shall be out,” 
said he. “ Turn on current and set your search-light 
on the northern inlet; we may need it to get in to- 
night.” 

As near as Joe could do it, this was done, the 
beam, of course, being lost in the bright sunlight, 
which would last about three more hours. Then 
providing themselves with lights and signals, the 
Edna rapidly glided up the bay. The water was 
smooth, with a light easterly breeze stirring. When 
the inlet was reached, they put to sea without hesita- 
tion. Here again the bearings of the Rescue were 
noted as shown by occasional mirror flashes. Then 
the Edna stood boldly out to the relief of their 
friends. 

We have six Winchesters, 43 calibre, sixteen 
shots each, which would make ninety-six shots with- 
out reloading, besides several good navy revolvers, 
I guess that’s enough for ordinary purposes,” said 
Frank, “ but I hope we shall not need a single cart- 
ridge,” he added. 

By this time they were fairly out in the open water 
with Harry at the wheel. 


CHAPTER XXV 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE. 

But little was said as they raced along. Occa- 
sionally Harry arose and tried to catch sight of the 
Rescue, but the lowness of the yacht in the water 
gave them little range; however, they knew it could 
not be long until she must be in sight. The two 
black points they had seen on the horizon were now 
unmistakably looming up, showing vessels in full 
chase; craft that Harry saw at once were manned by 
people who recognized no law but that of might. 
These were still ten miles away. 

There she is! ” called Frank, pointing to south- 
east. The little sailboat was coming on under a 
full press of sail about five miles away. 

“Wonder why we didn’t see her before!” 

“ Probably something happened to his sail and 
he had it taken in,” said Joe. 

“They see us!” shouted Frank, waving the 
yacht’s flag. 

“ We will meet in twenty minutes! ” said Harry, 
“ but unless we can elude those fellows chasing her, 
254 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 255 

in the darkness, we shall yet have trouble with them, 
and it will not be dark before another hour/’ 

The boats met with a cheer. 

“ Don’t slack off ! ” called Harry, as the Edna 
rounded about and ran parallel to her companion. 
“ We are still ten miles from the inlet. It’s a 
question in my mind whether we can make the run 
without a fight, and we are no match for those 
thieves. If we get inside and can face them from 
the Tongue at the entrance, we can beat them off.” 

The position of the boats was this : the pirates, of 
whose identity there was now no further doubt, were 
about three miles distant, coming on at a rapid rate, 
their huge lateen sails spread to the last inch. The 
Rescue and the Edna, still about eight miles from 
the inlet, the former with all sail set trying tO' escape, 
while the latter had limited her speed, keeping in 
close company. It wanted not more than half an 
hour to sunset and safety; in that brief time they 
would be overtaken, but in that brief time also was 
laid the plan for escape. After a while there was a 
peculiar hiss sounded through the air, and almost 
immediately a shot struck the water about a quarter 
of a mile to the right, raising a cloud of spray as it 
ricochetted onward; in a few seconds a dull report 
was heard. 


256 


joe's signal code 


“ So they're trying their guns; a most miserable 
shot, fortunately. Wait until we try ours ! " said 
Frank. 

In a few minutes another shot flew past them 
wide of its mark again. This time the report was 
not so far behind the flash of the gun. The im- 
perturbable Purdy stood, watch in hand, as the next 
shot tore up the water, “ five seconds , — distance 
about one mile!” The foremost of the pursuing 
boats was fully a half mile ahead of its consort and 
was racing like mad in pursuit of its little prey, now 
only a short mile ahead. The clumsy gunner tried 
a fourth shot from their light bow gun, but with no 
better result than before. It was plain these des- 
peradoes were more expert at handling their smaller 
murderous weapons than engaging in a stern chase, 
and they also saw that the little sailboat they had 
been pursuing for the past few hours, was suddenly 
joined by another small boat that moved speedily, 
and yet without sails. It seemed to them almost to 
have risen from the sea, and was now running side 
by side with the object of their pursuit. Then they 
made the attempt to stop or destroy them with their 
antiquated bow gun. But they did not know the 
character of their fleeing opponents. As the first 
pirate closed in, not more than three hundred yards 



Thej^ saw a slight pnff of smoke arise. — Page 257 





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A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 257 

away, with bows crowded, regardless of discipline 
— if they ever possessed any — eager to pounce upon 
the little strangers, they saw a slight puff of smoke 
arise from the newcomer without sails; in an instant 
two of the bloodthirsty villains reeled to the 
deck. 

So quickly and mysteriously was it done that it was 
not noticed by many of the yelling crew. Almost 
instantly another puff, and a big Lascar staggered 
and fell to the deck with a shattered shoulder. Be- 
fore they could drop tO' the bulwarks, three more 
shots struck their proa, one piercing the bulwarks, 
stunning a man, another striking the wheel, while 
the third sent to his last account one who still had 
the temerity to stand up boldly. There was conster- 
nation then. No single shot came now, for the re- 
ports were plainly heard — a perfect fusilade, and 
man after man was struck. By this time the first 
pursuer had closed in to within a hundred yards’ 
distance, when they saw the little sprite without 
sails suddenly turned out at right angles, as did her 
partner, thereby opening a better range of the deck 
of the astonished pirate. First the man at the helm 
tumbled forward, and a raking cross fire came in 
from both little boats that seemed to have some 
deadly machine at work. With no helmsman with 


258 


joe's signal code 


courage enough to take the wheel, they flew wild 
and brought up in the breeze with shaking sails and 
could not bring her around, as deadly missiles were 
tearing the woodwork whenever a man showed 
himself. 

In the midst of this the second pirate came up, 
having ineffectually tried his guns in the melee, but 
he did not know what had happened beyond seeing 
some commotion on his piratical partner ahead, fol- 
lowed by the sudden stoppage and coming into the 
wind. He found out in a moment. The eager 
horde, armed to the teeth, swarmed to the bows, and 
this time it was not a single death dealing missile 
that came singing its fatal song, but a volley, an un- 
broken stream of lead came pouring in from ahead 
and then, before the almost stunned gang had time 
to take to cover, the little tormenters crossed ahead, 
bringing them on the beam and raked them from 
helm to bow. They had caught some new terror of 
the sea. 

But the darkness closed in and the awful fight 
came to a close. It had not lasted over fifteen 
minutes from beginning to end, when it was thought 
by our voyagers safe to quit. By the aid of the 
search-light, now gleaming from the ship, they made 
the inlet in safety. Here they landed on the 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 259 

Tongue ” and waited for some hours, but saw no 
further signs of their discomfited enemy. 

It was midnight before they were safe on board 
the Katharine where Joe was almost overwhelmed 
by Toby, who had been left back. The poor boy had 
exhibited courage in the highest degree acting as 
helmsman, while Harry and the others repelled the 
attack. When they gained the deck, Mr. Purdy 
grasped Frank’s hand in both of his. 

My boy ! you did it that time. It was your first 
long distance shots that terrified them and made it 
easy for us. With all their bad intentions, I pity 
them.” 

After putting the vessel into position to make the 
best defense, a double watch was set for the night 
and the weary crew retired for rest. There was no 
sign of the enemy the next morning, so the boats 
made an armed search from Western Bay to 
the northern inlet without seeing a trace of 
them. 

“ They have gone away, but I tliink they will 
return,” said Harry. “ They may or may not have 
seen our ship as she lies in the creek with a back- 
ground of trees but we may expect an attack any 
time as they think we are only sojourners here and 
have some sort of a settlement which they will look 


26 o 


joe's signal code 


for, and finding, instead, a fine ship, they will risk 
a good bit to capture it.” 

Mr. Purdy that morning briefly gave them the 
account of the trip of the Rescue. 

“We left, as you know, about ten o’clock in the 
morning and had a contrary breeze at the outset, 
but Andy managed to get out about twenty-five 
miles by evening. We saw the search-light ray as 
it was being moved up and down ; it makes an effec- 
tive signal too'. We made but little progress during 
the night, and fought exasperating light head winds 
until after noon the next day, when we sighted the 
pirates and then turned for the island, our contrary 
breeze now being in our favor. About three o’clock 
they must have sighted us, and you know the rest. 
Andy shouted for joy when we sighted you and said 
in his quaint dialect, ‘Now gebts feng!’ which 
means, in ordinary English, ‘ Now there will be 
trouble.’ ‘ How so! ’ said I, not comprehending the 
drift of his excited remark ! ‘ Why, when Mr. 

Frank commences shooting you will see,’ and we 
did see.” 

There was not much said about the fight; it was 
an unpleasant subject to all, but Andy, who could 
not conceal his delight at the way the freebooters 
had been received and surprised. The spirit of Lex 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 


261 


Talionis was ingrained in this honest Dutchman, 
who knew nothing else but right in dealings with his 
fellows, but this was coupled with a seaman’s hatred 
for a buccaneer — there should be no mercy for 
them; whenever he saw one fall during the fight, 
whether by his hand or not, he shouted his appro- 
bation in terms not very polite, but in the most con- 
venient tongue, and that was good Blue Mountain 
Pennsylvania Dutch. 

Henceforth the utmost vigilance was observed. 
Our islanders could no longer lie down at night 
without a certain sense of insecurity that was wear- 
ing up them. It was a sore trial to have their mis- 
sion fail. They had confidently expected to have 
relief sent them as soon as the Rescue could find a 
port. Not only was that hope dashed, but a new 
and awful danger confronted them. There could 
be no more of the pleasant expeditions to the interior 
for the present, for it was almost certain that their 
enemies would make a descent upon the island in the 
near future. 

“Can they get through the Northern Inlet?’’ 
asked Joe. 

“Yes! with the craft they had yesterday they 
might, and that’s about all they have,” replied 
Harry. “ It’s just likely that they never paid any 


262 


joe's signal code 


attention to this island, which they must certainly 
have seen, for we have never yet found any certain 
evidence of their visits.” 

Everything that ingenuity could devise, was 
adopted for defense and by degrees the islanders 
grew accustomed to the situation. Not that their 
vigilance relaxed, but the constant menace gradually 
lost its force; perhaps it was from the fact that now 
a week had passed without a sign of anything. Pro- 
visions they always had in abundance from their 
stores as well as from the bountiful land in front of 
them, but the thought that their chances for escape 
should be despoiled by piracy, irritated them and 
this all the more because it fell upon them at this 
time. 

It was, of course, agreed that the Rescue should 
again be sent out as soon as practicable as they 
wanted her to avoid the stormy season later on and 
for this reason had hastened her construction. A 
night watch was kept, the time being divided among 
the whole party. The search-light was used to 
sweep the bay and with this low steam was always 
kept in the boiler of the winch engine so as to be 
able to haul out of the creek at any time. Even 
Toby seemed to understand the situation, he always 
taking his turn with Joe, seeming to know that 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 263 

something threatened the peace and safety of the 
Katharine, but as yet there was no cause for alarm. 
The dynamo was kept at work each evening so as 
to keep the storage batteries as fully charged as pos- 
sible. Additional thick ‘‘ OO ’’ wires were divested 
of their insulation and so placed that a boarding 
party must naturally use them in ascending from the 
water to the deck. These were always ready to be 
thrown into circuit with the storage battery which 
was always charged up to buckling point. But 
time passed and there was yet no sign. 

“ I wonder whether our brush with them has put 
the matter to rest/^ said Frank one evening; “ it 
seemed to me that they were sO' thoroughly surprised 
that they couldn’t comprehend what had happened. 
Then again they may not have sighted the Kath- 
arine/' 

‘‘ How far were we from shore when night came 
on? ” asked Joe. 

About four or five miles!” said Harry. I 
could see the ship and I am afraid that they from 
their higher decks could see even better, and more 
especially if they had good glasses. It’s just likely, 
too, that they have them, for they have evidently 
made way with several vessels of which the atoll 
can attest to two.” 


264 


joe's signal code 


So they watched and reasoned but as yet there 
was nothing suspicious to note. They felt that there 
would not be any landing on the northern or western 
sides as nature had defended that better than could 
man, but if a circuit of the island was sailed and an 
approach made from the southwest, an enemy might 
find an anchorage in Western Bay, and then come 
in overland by crossing the Ridge, thus surprising 
them from an unlooked for point. 

Harry often lamented that they had but one tele- 
scope and especially would another be useful at this 
critical time. In order that they might be secure 
from any sudden intrusion from Western Bay, it 
was found necessary to have a daily lookout from 
Mount Hope for a week at least. Mr. Purdy and 
Harry made the first trip; leaving the vessel at day- 
brealc in the Rescue, they proceeded down the bay 
to their former landing place and then, having se- 
cured the boat in a small cove so that the tides would 
not injure it, they made their way up the tree cov- 
ered hill. Reaching the top they improvised a com- 
fortable seat or rest for their vigil would be a long 
one. The view from here was always lovely, but on 
this calm, peaceful day, the picture came out in be- 
wildering beauty. The ocean seemed as quiet as an 
inland lake. Far to the east the glittering waters 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 265 

caught the rays of the morning sun, making a sheen 
of glory across a field of blue. To the south and to 
the west they could sweep with an uninterrupted 
view the calm azure waters, but there was nothing 
to be seen in the great desert ocean. With their 
glass they could see the mizzenmast of the Kath- 
arine above the trees in line and at the truck was 
flying the ship’s flag indicating that all was right, 
for on the first suspicion of trouble the flag was to 
be changed for a pennant. To the north the island 
was dressed in the living green of vast forests of 
tropical trees. Tropical birds flitted like swift 
dashes of the most beautiful color against this back- 
ground, all combining to paint to the eye a picture 
of rare beauty. 

'' I don’t wonder ! ” said Mr. Purdy, “ that Frank 
has so much fallen intO' love with this spot. It 
seems like perfect peace. Oh, if only we were view- 
ing it under different circumstances ! It brings back 
to me the grand view from the Storm King above 
West Point in our dear old land,” and then the man 
of iron again became as a child in the hopeless reach- 
ing out for his loved ones. 

Science has demonstrated that there is a magnetic 
current setting across the gap lying between the 
poles of a magnet. This invisible, yet active force 


266 


joe’s signal code 


has been measured, its strength tested and then re- 
solved into its very structural property, showing that 
it consists of an immensity of small invisible lines, 
called “ Lines of Force.” The lay world names it 
magnetism, and science has already demonstrated 
that these minute nerves, of which there exist many 
thousands to a square centimeter, which space one 
could cover with the little finger-nail, can be con- 
verted into a new power, with the proper conditions, 
and that this new power, although it is old as the 
solar system itself, can be projected into space, and 
if met by reciprocal instruments, may be used for 
the convenience and good of man. If the forces of 
nature may be gathered and distributed by inanimate 
bodies of metal, why may not hearts go forth in in- 
visible forces until their affinity be found? In the 
grief of this strong man, who, with averted face, 
these things came uppermost : “ Why cannot I send 
a message through space to my darling wife and 
child? What is there in nature to prevent it?” 

Thus he pondered. Harry, sorrowing for him to 
the bottom of his heart, could only wait until the 
burst of grief was over, when Mr. Purdy arose and 
pointed to the southeast, as if in a vision. 

“ I feel as if our deliverance is coming ! Some- 
thing tells me ! Let us hope it will be soon ! ” 


A BATTLE AND AN ESCAPE 


267 


There was no more said, but Harry, who had im- 
plicit faith in Mr. Purdy, could not help mentally 
commenting over the singular yet comforting speech. 
He had heard him speak of the beautiful prospect 
before them and then suddenly revert to home. He 
well knew how it would end. Then after his reverie 
he would start up and prophesy, as it were. But 
why did he point to the southeast ? Harry mentally 
reverted to their position in the great Indian Ocean 
that lay all around them, and tried tO' think what 
this strange man had on his mind. He could not 
ask him for he had now strayed down into the forest 
to be alone with his thoughts. Nor would he ask 
him; it might be a sudden inspiration but he sin- 
cerely prayed it might prove to be a fact. The 
dreamy day seemed tO' pass quickly. Nothing could 
be discerned on the face of the vast waters that en- 
circled them. Toward evening they'made their way 
to the boat and by sunset were again on board with 
their friends. The following day Frank and Joe, 
accompanied by Toby, took the post of observation, 
but as the day before, there was nothing to be seen. 
Thus for a week they kept watch and then gave 
their attention to the east side only. During this 
time the Edna was taken to the Southern Inlet where 
all the beacons and buoys were put intO' order again, 


268 


joe's signal code 


with the addition of a notice prominently nailed to 
the first guide. It was a board, painted black for 
the background, the letters being in white. This 
was placed so that intending navigators could not 
possibly miss it, and was as follows: 

CHANNEL 

10 FATHOMS deep; 12 FATHOMS WIDE, 

MARKED BY BUOYS. 

DANGEROUS ROCKS OUTSIDE OF BUOYS. 

Ship Katharine at North End of Bay. 

Plenty Water Inside. 

This was firmly attached with braces sunk into 
the rocky ground of the islet. 

“ Someone may see it ! ” said Joe, “ and be guided 
in to us." 

If they come by daylight," added Frank, ‘‘ you 
may remember," he added with a slight laugh, “ we 
came at night ! " 

On their way back the little yacht was stopped 
at one of the islets and a supply of eggs gathered. 
Andy also found a lot of turtle eggs which were 
taken along. He had several times captured turtles 
but this was the first time he had found their eggs. 
They all enjoyed their supper that night. The fol- 
lowing day was to be devoted to marking the North- 
ern Inlet so the tired party, with the exception of the 
night watch who took turns, retired for the night. 


CHAPTER XXVI 


THE MONKEYS AND THE DYNAMO 

The following morning the usual careful survey 
was made from the mainmast, but it disclosed noth- 
ing. After this the Edna^ with all on board but 
Frank, who remained on the ship, left for the North- 
ern Inlet, taking with them the necessary imple- 
ments for setting up beacons should they be required. 
They reached the end of the islet forming the ocean 
side of the entrance. The natural breakwater was 
the most northern of the chain forming the eastern 
shore of the bay and was in reality about four miles 
long, but in width it varied from one-quarter to one- 
half of a mile. Curving around tO' the west, it ap- 
proached the mainland at its northern extremity, 
forming the Northern Inlet. The point where it 
ended they had named The Tongue.’' Here it 
was their purpose to erect a beacon similar in nature 
to that at Providence Channel, or as they often 
called it the Southern Inlet. Toby was first ashore, 
delighted once more to race around on mother earth, 
269 


2/0 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


having had but one or two outings since the watch 
was kept up. He soon raised clouds of sea birds 
along the narrow strip, much to the amusement of 
the party, who' had already commenced taking the 
soundings of the crooked inlet. 

There would have been depth enough, and gener- 
ally width enough for a large vessel to get through 
with great care had it not been that a sudden pro- 
jection of the land narrowed it sO' much that only 
a small, light draught vessel might pass; otherwise 
this channel was in all respects superior to the one 
on the south. Our voyagers had surveyed it long 
since, but now wished to set up guides in case of a 
vessel coming to the island. They prepared a board 
similar to that at the Southern Inlet, informing ves- 
sels o-f larger size that there was a good anchorage 
in Western Bay. This done, the party slowly 
cruised along the inner shore gathering a supply of 
fine cocoanuts, which grew in profusion near the 
narrow beach. While Joe was removing the thick 
husk from one, Andy remarked that the fiber could 
be used for making light caps, whereupon Mr. 
Purdy immediately gave them an order for five, to 
be delivered as soon as possible. The problem of 
a clothing supply had been discussed before this and 
steps were now taken toi have it renewed. When 


THE MONKEYS AND THE DYNAMO 2J\ 

they were cast upon the island each of the passengers 
had two full suits, one of which was at once re- 
served and one kept in use with whatever makeshifts 
they could devise, from clothing left by the men, 
but now, after more than a year's time, their stock 
began to show signs of wear. Andy promised to 
help out matters with a true sailor’s ingenuity, by 
making light cotton suits if material could be found 
in the cargo, of which there was no doubt, the fol- 
lowing day being fixed for the first trial when he 
wanted to make a coat for Joe. Some few of their 
ship’s supplies were also demanding attention, too. 
They had long ago used the last of their sugar, but 
had made an excellent substitute for it from the 
product of the sugar palm, of which there was a 
profusion. 

The island was estimated to have a width of eight 
miles and a length of fifteen, showing a superficial 
area of about one hundred and twenty square miles, 
exclusive of the outlying islands, and fully three- 
fourths of this surface was covered with palms of 
many varieties yielding fruits and products in them- 
selves sufficient to support a large population. In 
addition to this there were many other varieties of 
trees and fruits, some of which our colonists had 
never seen before, but Master Binks never hesitated 


2/2 joe's signal CODE 

in his selections when fruits were laid before him. 
This monkey tribe had grown to be somewhat of a 
nuisance. They, however, had acquired a holy 
horror of the dynamo. At first the singing of the 
armature attracted them in numbers; they held aloof 
for a while and then gradually drew nearer and 
finally overran the shed that covered the dynamo, 
but being unable to get into it, they sat there and 
then began investigatiog the belt from the Pelton 
wheel; this went on for some time but one evening 
before the storage batteries had been installed, when 
the light was still furnished direct from the genera- 
tor, there was a hideous screeching near the shed, 
followed by flickering of the lights at short intervals. 

“ There’s something wrong with the belt ! ” said 
Mr. Purdy, as they made their way out to the shore. 
When they got there they found that somehow two 
of the poor little creatures had gotten their tails into 
the flying belt and were converted into apes in an 
instant, their caudal appendages having been severed 
and were still involved in the belt, making the lights 
jump ” every time they passed over the pulleys, so 
sensitive is the electric current to the slightest irreg- 
ularity of the power producing it. 

‘‘ Guck amohl ! eira schwentz sind op geschnitta ! ” 
said Andy excitedly in his Pennsylvania Dutch. 


THE MONKEYS AND THE DYNAMO 


273 


He always relieved himself in the mother tongue 
when anything was sprung upon him suddenly. No 
one but Mr. Purdy understood him but his odd ex- 
pressions always raised a laugh. But the suffering 
animals had to be killed to get them out of their 
misery. The following day the belt was boxed in, 
effectually preventing a recurrence of such tragedies. 
This made the whole tribe somewhat shy until some 
of them began trapeze performances on the two 
main wires, which were left bare for defensive pur- 
poses. Before they became aware of the trouble, 
several had received severe shocks and raised such 
a commotion that the place was vacated and given 
a wide berth thereafter. 

For about two weeks following the fight with the 
pirates, the party kept up its strict outlook, coupled 
with such duties as the occasion demanded. As the 
time wore on, confidence was again restored and 
they indulged in the hope that they would not be 
molested after all. Certain it was that the Rescue 
would make another attempt in a short time if noth- 
ing occurred to prevent it. They entertained no 
fear that the little craft would again be chased by 
their enemies; it had simply been an accident that 
they had been seen of them when they were at sea. 
That chance might not occur again once in a thou- 


274 


joe's signal code 


sand times. It was the defense of the Katharine 
that now held back the expedition. The stormy 
season would be upon them in less than two months, 
it not being thought safe for the Rescue to venture 
out then. It was felt that storms might be looked 
for at almost any time after six weeks. They had 
not seen any signs of the smoke signals either; in 
fact, the ocean seemed absolutely deserted. They 
were evidently out of the track of the East India 
trade or at least of most of it. “ It may be,” said 
Harry, “ that plenty of vessels have passed and are 
passing within a single degree of us. They may 
want to avoid the atolls and thus give us a wide 
berth.” 

‘‘ How long is a degree in this latitude? ” asked 
Joe one evening as they were all seated on deck en- 
joying the brilliant tropical moonlight. 

“ That depends somewhat upon the distance we 
are from the equator,” said Harry. “ All the merid- 
ians of longitude cross each other at the two poles 
consequently a degree of longitude at those points 
is simply nothing, but they are farthest from each 
other at the equator, where a degree is nearly sev- 
enty miles. Suppose you peel an orange closely, you 
will see that the divisions all meet at the place where 
the stem was broken off and at the opposite point, 


THE MONKEYS AND THE DYNAMO 2/5 

and they are widest at the center. Now that is just 
the way the meridians of longitude run. We think 
we are about 7° and 15' south, so that the degree 
here has already diminished some. Degrees of lati- 
tude are seventy miles long and have the same 
length anywhere on the globe. Those circles, you 
know, as always parallel with the equator, which 
is the center line itself, being on the greatest circle 
that may be drawn on the globe.” 

Well, that’s all right, I know!” said Frank, 
“ but why can’t there be an East Pole and a West 
Pole, then the parallels of longitude would always 
be the same, too, at least it seems so to me now.” 

‘'I think!” said Mr. Purdy, if Frank’s idea 
was illustrated on a globe you would find that these 
new circles would form the most awkward kind of 
junctions with the lines of latitude. As a matter of 
fact, a golf ball is lined up that way and it strikes 
me it would make a navigator ' scratch his head and 
think ’ when some of these circles became tangent 
to others and 

Suddenly there was a splash as if something had 
fallen heavily into the water. The party sprang to 
the rail and saw a dark object struggling in the 
creek. Throwing the switch they brought the 
search-light to bear on it. 


2/6 


joe's signal code 


“ Es isht ein schwarzer ! ” cried Andy in his usual 
excited way. 

“ No! ” said Mr. Purdy from behind his lantern, 
it’s another monkey. He has gotten over on one 
of the ‘ mains ’ and met his fate as soon as he touched 
the other wire.” 

‘‘ Another victim to ungovernable curiosity ! ” 
said Frank, “ but it shows our wires are never 
asleep.” 

“ They aren’t so very dangerous ! ” said Mr. 
Purdy, “ but I guess they will do to repel ‘ boarders ’ 
if it ever becomes necessary. Don’t you think so, 
Andy?” 

Dey is all right, yogewis ! ” 

Pie always emphasized anything with this word 
which they now knew to mean Yes, indeed I ” 

That night Frank Miller stood on guard to be 
relieved at midnight, but as usual he never woke up 
his relief, preferring to remain on duty the whole 
night. The moon was full, flooding the bay with 
light almost like day. To the east, the outlying 
islets were distinctly visible ; now the rays had fully 
caught on Mount Hope which was standing like a 
great blue dome about six miles to the south, while 
beyond that the Southern Inlet was lost in the haze 
that softened every outline in nearer objects. For 


THE MONKEYS AND THE DYNAMO 


277 

3 . long" time he paced back and forth, enjoying the 
lovely night; then Toby came up from his kennel 
and curled on the deck beside him, but the young 
man did not notice the faithful dog. With his head 
resting on his hand, he leaned on the rail, his 
thoughts far out over the ocean. Now, as in a 
dream, he saw the waters in that beautiful distant 
bay, with ships and other craft gliding hither and 
thither. Then Cape Town with that week of 
pleasure; then the awful storm, and now, amid all 
this splendor, it fell almost like a depressing weight. 
They were lost! lost! Dead to the world! Oh! 
when would it end? He thought of Purdy, whose 
iron nerve sometimes quailed before this same 
thought and could more and more comprehend the 
great love this man bore for his wife and child. 
Would the Lines of Human Force yet reach 
through space and by some mysterious process of 
telepathy bring their friends to this unknown land 
where nature’s dreamy beauty was simply a mock- 
ery. How often he had heard it told The prom- 
ises of God are sure ” and He promised that “ where 
two or three are gathered together in my name, 
there am I in the midst of them ! ” Had they not 
often prayed for deliverance? Then again came 
back to him the prophetic words of cheer and cour- 


278 


joe's signal code 


age as they were uttered to Joshua. So he mused 
and watched through that brilliant tropical night. 
Had some good angel given him the power to see 
through that hazy beyond, at that self-same mo- 
ment: what would he have said? 


CHAPTER XXVII 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING. 

The next morning Andy reported that the stock 
of naphtha was running low, there being only about 
one barrel on hand, so it was decided to leave Frank 
in charge of the ship again and proceed with both 
boats to Western Bay, then to Oil Creek, where a 
supply would be distilled. In order that the party 
might remain in close touch with each other, Andy 
was left off at the foot of Mount Hope, whence he 
proceeded to the lookout, from which point he could 
signal by their code to the party in case he received a 
signal from the Katharine. The two little boats 
made their way around Promontory Point, arriving 
in Western Bay about the time Andy had reached the 
Mount Hope beacon. They saw his signal, telling 
that all was well, and then made their way intO' Oil 
Creek, following it until they reached the oil still, 
which was found in good order. From here they 
could again see Andy's signal. They now felt that 
they were secure from any sudden intrusion and 
went to work at once. The still was filled and care- 


279 


28 o 


joe's signal code 


fully closed with the iron clamps and then crude 
oil was slowly fed into the fire place and ignited. 
In due time the vapors began passing into the long 
pipe laid in the bed of the creek and finally the fluid 
naphtha made its appearance. This was caught in 
vessels prepared for the purpose and then trans- 
ferred to the barrels on the Rescue. This operation 
was repeated until the afternoon when they had 
sufficient naphtha for some time to come. They, 
however, continually kept the signal in sight, noting 
with pleasure that it said all was right with the 
ship. 

When the convoy arrived at the mouth of Oil 
Creek, they telegraphed to Andy to leave his 
position and meet them on the Eastern Bay. The 
breeze having died down, the Edna towed the Res- 
cue around to Providence Channel. After entering 
the bay, she cast loose and picked up Andy, who was 
awaiting them on shore. When they reached the 
ship a good supper awaited them, Frank having be- 
come quite proficient as a cook. 

They gathered on deck again that evening to 
spend a pleasant hour before retiring, the conversa- 
tion touching various subjects, turning on the 
method of communication they had adopted during 
the day. 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 28 1 

‘‘ Would it be difficult to erect and install a tele- 
graph line throughout the island? asked Harry. 

No! it would not be very difficult to build and 
equip, but the greatest trouble we should now ex- 
perience would be with monkeys,’' said Mr. Purdy. 
'' In some parts of India, I remember, it became 
necessary to substitute fairly strong rod iron for the 
ordinary No. 9 wire, because the monkeys made a 
plaything of it, breaking the wires continually, and 
I imagine that would happen here, too.” 

‘‘ How is a tel^raph line worked ? ” asked 
Joe. 

“ The telegraph of to-day, in its ordinary form, 
is very simple. First the route is selected, let us 
say along some public road, or let us imagine from 
here to the west coast. We might use trees as a 
substitute for poles, nailing our glass insulators to 
them, hanging the wire, usually a No. 9 galvanized; 
stretching and securely fastening it to the insulators 
which, as a rule, are of thick glass and are bell-shaped 
so they are dry inside, in any weather. This keeps 
the current from traveling down the wet poles in 
rainy weather. Now, suppose we place two offices 
on it, one here and one at the other terminal; in 
our case we should not need a battery to supply 
the current ; we could take it direct from the dynamo, 


282 joe's signal code 

but it would have to be reduced in strength very 
much before it became available. Now we have the 
line and the current. The distant end, as well as 
ours, is connected with the earth, which in itself 
seems to be a vast reservoir of electricity, and then 
the instruments are placed. There are only three; 
a key for opening and closing the circuit, a relay 
magnet, for indicating the breaks in the current, and 
an auxiliary instrument called a sounder; which is 
worked by a small battery of its own and is entirely 
independent of the wire current. This instrument 
simply repeats loudly what the relay says, as the 
latter is rather a delicate instrument and often does 
not “ speak ” loud enough to overcome extraneous 
noises, such as passing trains, etc. 

But in cases of necessity, this latter instrument 
can do all the work, dispensing with the other two. 
It consists of two cores of the purest and softest iron, 
say two inches long and one-half inch thick; these 
are carefully wound with a fine-silk covered copper 
wire, usually about a No. 32, which is about as 
thick as a coarse thread, until layer upon layer is 
wound, the quantity being determined by the resist- 
ance wanted. Then these two spools are fastened to 
a cross piece, also of soft iron exactly like the yoke 
piece of our dynamo. There are now, of course. 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 283 

four loose ends; two of these are connected to each 
other, and the other two to the main line, so that 
the current coming from the main source enters the 
office, goes through one spool, then crosses over the 
connection and goes through the other and out to 
the line again. The instant this occurs, those two 
cores become a magnet and remain so, as long as 
the current of electricity passes. Remember that 
the electricity has no connection with the iron what- 
soever, yet in flying around it in the insulated copper 
wrapping, it makes magnetism, something entirely 
different in nature, and this is the germ of the whole 
thing. 

“ Now to use these twO' strange agents, we place 
before the twO' exposed ends of the iron cores, a loose 
cross piece of iron held by set screws, so that it may 
be attracted freely, and then we fasten a small spring 
to it to draw it back again when there is no current. 
This cross piece or armature, has a brass upright 
fastened to it that strikes between two points, one 
is struck in going toward the magnet and the other 
when the spring pulls it back. This beating is read 
by sound by the operator, the letters being made with 
dots and longer intervals called dashes. These 
names come down from the time they used an in- 
strument to work on paper, called a ' register.' They 


284 


joe's signal code 


have gone out of use almost entirely, now, and the 
sprightly little sounder has taken its place." 

“ I suppose," said Harry, that all the original 
instruments were crude and heavy, weren’t they ? " 

^‘Well, yes, they were; the first 'relay’ that 
Morse made weighed one hundred and eighty 
pounds itself." 

" That’s more than the instruments of a modern 
office weigh now, including the operator," said 
Frank, which sally raised a general laugh. 

" But how does the ocean cable work ? " asked 
Joe, who never lost a word of Mr. Purdy’s descrip- 
tions. 

" In those instruments as originally constructed, 
there is no iron core to the copper coil, which was 
wound on a short, hollow cylinder; inside of this was 
suspended a small mirror and fastened across its back 
was a light steel bar. This mirror was hung from 
the top of the coil on the inside by a delicate gos- 
samer thread; when the current passed through the 
cable this mirror swung and returned to its first 
position, according to the breaks made. Then there 
was a strong lamp or light placed so that its rays 
were focused in this mirror. When the current 
was broken, it moved and reflected a ray of light 
back and forth on a place prepared for it and in that 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 28$ 

way the messages were read. They have another 
kind now, however. ’’ 

Why that’s just the way our code (he always 
modestly said ‘ our ’ code, although it was his own 
idea) is made on the sky with the search-light, by a 
ray of light moving up and down.” 

“ That’s it precisely, my boy! Your code is read 
in the same way, and, so far as I know, the idea 
is original with you.” 

Then arranging the night watch, they retired for 
much needed rest. 

During the time that passed after the encounter 
with the pirates, the party did not simply stay on 
shipboard. They could, of course, make short trips 
during the day almost anywhere with entire safety, 
as they had such a view of the ocean that a vessel 
could be seen for hours before it could make a land- 
ing. So Frank often wandered in the forest with 
Joe and Toby for companions, sometimes in the 
neighborhood of Fairy Lake, then again to the high 
bluffs on the north shore. These trips were a never 
ending source of pleasure to Joe, for they made many 
interesting discoveries on their different routes. He 
captured a pair of young parrots one day that now 
could speak with facility. Andy also had caught 
one and gave it a course of his dialect Dutch. These 


286 


joe's signal code 


little creatures, along with Binks, often helped to 
while away time that might otherwise have hung 
heavily on the hands of the colonists. 

Frank visited his pheasant grounds often, but 
forbore from shooting any of them after he saw 
their happy bird life. The pheasant dances so often 
described, but not explained by naturalists, they 
often saw and admired. Nothing was killed except 
when actual necessity demanded it. Of reptiles, as 
has been said before, there were none, but in the 
harbor they several times had seen dangerous sharks. 
None of these ferocious monsters escaped Frank’s 
unerring rifle, if they approached near enough to 
show a vulnerable part. When bathing was indulged 
in, it was always done in the lake or at the foot of 
the falls. Their water supply was abundant and 
pure; this, with a diet mostly vegetable and plenty 
of outdoor exercise, kept the party in the best of 
health. From a pale boy of only ordinary physical 
strength, Joe had grown in stature and weight, 
beaming with health and vigor. He had acquired a 
thorough mathematical training from the daily in- 
structions of his companions, and with this Frank 
took especial care to make him an excellent shot 
with gun or revolver. They were all thankful for 
the glorious health they had enjoyed at all times. 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 28/ 

Had it not been for the feeling of isolation which, 
when their minds were not engaged, always made 
itself felt, the island would have been a paradise. 

In the summer, or dry season with its excursions 
and work, this lonely feeling was not so oppressive, 
but the danger lay in the days of confinement to the 
ship during the dreary rainy period. It was hoped 
that the danger of an attack by their enemy, was 
among the things of the past, so departure of the 
Rescue was fixed for the beginning of February, 
which was now only a week away. Everything had 
been done to the little craft necessary for the com- 
fort of her passengers as well as its own safety. 
Frank had also placed the Edna in perfect order so 
that there was but little to be done but wait for the 
time of departure. Their dynamo was working 
smoothly, supplying them with light and heat for all 
their cooking of vegetables and meats such as they 
used; it, however, was nearly short circuited by the 
troublesome monkeys once or twice; notwithstand- 
ing the fact that they were very much afraid of it. 
Sometimes they would get on the harmless looking 
mains, giving Andy much concern, as Mr. Purdy 
told him if those wires once came into contact when 
the machine was generating electricity, he would 
see an exhibition of fireworks winding up with a 


288 


joe's signal code 


wrecked armature and no means of repairing it. 
I'his danger was finally overcome by sinking two 
short, strong poles into the bank, to which the wires 
were securely attached and well separated. 

Neither had they seen any more smoke signals in 
the north, so that their departure would be made 
without any doubt as to the safety of those left be- 
hind. 

It was thought best, however, before starting, to 
make a trip to the west coast to see what might be 
found there, it having been some time since they 
had made the journey. The exploring party con- 
sisted of Mr. Purdy, Joe and Andy, the others re- 
maining with the ship. The old route was chosen 
because of familiarity with it; so after breakfast the 
party embarked in the Edna^ which Frank ran up to 
Singing Falls, where they bade him good-by and 
set out upon their journey. The irrepressible Toby 
was in the van, bounding hither and thither as usual, 
terrorizing the numerous small game, but they had 
not left Fairy Lake but a short distance behind them 
when they heard him in a noisy combat with some 
animal. Growls of rage, mingled with yelps of pain, 
were heard as he thrashed around among the dry 
leaves. Before Mr. Purdy could stop him, Joe ran 
to Toby's rescue and found that he had engaged with 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 289 

a porcupine that had bravely defended itself with 
its sharp quills, several of which were sticking in 
the dog’s hide. Not wishing him to injure the an- 
imal, Joe held the struggling dog while his plucky 
little antagonist made its escape. 

“ This is your second fight with hedgehogs,” said 
Joe to Toby, “ and you always get the worst 
of it.” 

Mr. Purdy warned the party to be careful how 
they advanced into any fight that the dog might 
bring on, for they were not yet entirely sure that 
there were no dangerous animals on the island. After 
extracting the quills from Toby’s body, they pro- 
ceeded on their journey, arriving at the ruined tem- 
ple at noon. Pausing only long enough tO' take a 
drink of refreshing water, then plunging into the 
forest they resumed their journey without interrup- 
tion until the ocean was sighted in the west. 

Carefully examining the coast, they proceeded 
along the cliffs to the Northern Beacon, which, as 
yet, was not visible. 

“Can it have blown down?” said Mr. Purdy. 
“ It seems to me it was made extra strong, as the 
lower part of it was a living tree.” 

As they approached it was very evident that the 
beacon was not in place and when they made the 


290 


joe's signal code 


point where it should be, there it lay on the ground, 
close to the tree that had held it. 

It has been cut down," cried Joe. 

Do isht etwos lets ! " said Andy excitedly. 

Mr. Purdy said nothing but closely examined the 
tree. 

“ Yes ! it has been cut down, but who could have 
used an ax up there? " said he, pointing up the 
tree to where it had been joined. 

By this time Andy had climbed up and then called 
out: 

“ Dis wasn’t cut down mit an ax; it was chopped 
down mit a saw, guck a mohl ! ’’ said he, pointing 
to the clean edge of the fallen spar. 

It was even so; and for several moments noth- 
ing was said, then Mr. Purdy told Andy and Joe 
to get everything ready for an immediate return to 
the ship. 

We will go along the north shore," said he. 

If any party has landed there we will see the boats, 
although I don’t think anyone could land on the 
coast. On the other hand, if any undesirable persons 
have landed in this neighborhood we shall prefer 
meeting them on open ground. This has been cut 
down within the last few days. See where it has 
barked the tree ; it is quite fresh yet ! " 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 29 1 

They could not see any other signs of the marau- 
ders, but at once prepared for their route along the 
north shore, there being fairly good traveling on 
the open ground between the forest and the edge of 
the cliffs. It need not take over three hours to 
reach the Northern Inlet; from which point they 
might signal to the Katharine to send for them. Be- 
fore leaving the fallen beacon Joe called Toby to the 
spot and tried to have him scent the tracks of the 
strangers, for it was presumed there was a party. 
The dog came eagerly and for a few moments nosed 
around hunting wherever Joe sent him, though he 
did not seem to comprehend what was wanted, but 
Joe did not give up; taking him to the beacon tree, 
he tried to have him catch the scent of any person 
who might have been there. 

“ He can’t find dem dat way ! ” said Andy. I 
was just up dere.” 

So you were. I had forgotten it,” replied Joe. 

“ Try him on the ground,” said Mr. Purdy. 

Again the dog was brought to the tree and Joe 
slowly walked in a circle around it, pointing to the 
earth, Toby eagerly sniffing the ground and whin- 
ing as he tried to find the imaginary thing that his 
young master was hunting. Suddenly he stopped 
with his nose to the earth, then turned off at a 


292 


joe's signal code 


tangent, running toward the cliffs on the north side 
with Joe after him, urging him on, Mr. Purdy and 
Andy following closely. The intelligent animal was 
not a thorough tracker, but he at last seemed to know 
what was wanted. Several times he lost the trail, 
but as often found it. Suddenly he stopped on the 
edge of a bluff about forty feet above the shore 
which formed a little cove at this point. Looking 
down the slope, Joe cried out : 

Here are tracks in the loose soil ! '' 

Following them down to the narrow beach, they 
saw where a small boat had been landed. There was 
nothing visible out at sea now, but when they re- 
gained the top of the bluff, they saw a sight that 
made them stare in amazement. Away in the north 
a column of dark smoke was ascending skyward, 
just as they had seen it months before. 

“We will have about ten miles to cover to reach 
the ' Tongue ' at the Northern Inlet,” said Mr. 
Purdy. “We must get back to the ship as soon as 
possible, and it is now three o’clock. We can do it 
by half past five by rapid march; that will leave us 
something over half an hour to try to signal the 
ship. They will see us, I am certain, for Harry is 
keeping a sharp lookout at that point even this min- 
ute, if he has seen the smoke.” 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 293 

Hastening on, they reached the slope from the 
high ground to the inner bay just a few minutes 
after the time they anticipated. Improvising a sig- 
nal from some large palm leaves attached to a bam- 
boo shaft that Andy had obtained, they went out to 
the point and waved their flag to and fro. The 
distant ship was distinctly visible. Then they saw 
a flag ascend the mainmast, and they knew that they 
were seen. Mr. Purdy sent in the message by the 
code, a copy of which they always carried, which 
v^as responded to by dipping the ship’s flag, the dis- 
tance being too great for the unaided eye to read 
signals and they had no glass. 

They see us and understand ! — see, there goes 
the Edna out into the harbor,” said Joe, pointing to 
the gallant little yacht that was just visible at that 
distance. 

Frank came in the Edna; calling to them to go to 
a point a little further to the right, where he could 
receive them better, he steered the yacht tO' the point 
indicated. As they stepped in from the yacht Toby 
broke away from them and ran toward the point of 
land at the inlet. 

“ Get him in quickly! ” said Frank, we have no 
time to lose. Fm afraid we are going to have un- 
welcome callers.” 


294 


joe's signal code 


Joe hastened after the dog who was now near at 
hand again, whining and anxious to be followed, but 
he was peremptorily checked. When Joe reached 
him he observed a singular looking object on the 
ground near the dog; he hastily picked it up and 
then bundled Toby intO' the boat, where all examined 
his find. 

‘‘A kriess!" said Frank. Don’t you remem- 
ber, we saw some in the Malaysian exhibit at the 
World’s Fair?” turning to Joe. 

That settles it ! ” said Mr. Purdy, as he looked 
at the murderous, crooked dagger. Then, relating 
their adventures to Frank as the yacht sped along, 
he added : “ And now I am convinced the visitors 
were pirates and they have been here reconnoitering, 
and most likely cut down that beacon to draw us 
out, but fortunately we did not go.” 

During this narrative, Frank, who had given the 
boat over to Andy, did not say a word. When Mr. 
Purdy finished, he simply said: 

What makes it still worse, there are now three 
pirate craft standing in toward the island, not over 
an hour away. I was just starting for the Tongue 
when you signaled. You can see them beyond that 
islet now. Your story makes it certain that they 
have explored the coast and will come through the 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 295 

inlet, and attack us. We have seen them for the 
last hour and thought possibly they might have to 
stay outside to-night, but the evidence you found 
shows they have been here in a small boat, probably, 
and have explored the shore, and worst of all, they 
know that inlet now.” 

Can their ships get through? ” asked Joe. 

“Yes! if they are careful, for they have good 
sailors among them.” 

“ How about the tide? You know it was on the 
ebb when we left,” said Mr. Purdy. 

“ All in their favor ! They may have to stay out- 
side for a little while, when the tide will change. 
Oh, their schedule has been well studied ! ” 

“ I wonder why they come at night ? ” said Joe. 

“ Probably there are some unpleasant recollections 
of their first encounter with us and that was in day- 
light,” said Mr. Purdy. 

“ I think,” said Frank, “ that their idea now is to 
surprise us. They may have intended lying off the 
island out of our sight until dark, then steal in. We 
thought of that when they first came in view. 
Something made them change their plans, if that 
was their plan.” 

“ Maybe they had some cause that made them 
do it.” 


296 


joe's signal code 


“ It could only have been a cruiser,” said Mr. 
Purdy, “ for they would have attacked a merchant 
ship.” 

“ I wish one were here now. This is going to be 
an ugly fight. I dread it, somehow,” said Frank in 
an undertone, with his eyes fixed on Joe, who had 
now moved up to Andy in the bow. 

‘‘Yes, I see! on his account,” nodding in Joe's 
direction. “ I wish he were not in it.” 

When the Edm reached the ship, Harry wel- 
comed them back and immediately a council of war 
was held. The inlet was now obscured in darkness 
but the pirates were still several miles out and 
would hardly make an attack for an hour at 
least. 

“ Will they use boats? ” asked Joe. 

“No! I think not,” said Harry. “They don’t 
fight that way; it will be from deck to deck; then 
they will close in and grapple with us. We have 
raised steam in the boiler to haul out of the creek, 
if necessary and have the hose attached to the boiler 
and dose them with steam and hot water, if we can. 
That will be your work, Andy,” whereat the faith- 
ful Dutchman fairly beamed. 

Winchesters with filled magazines were dis- 
tributed around ; some even were placed in the tops. 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 297 

Each one had revolvers convenient. The dynamo 
was started, as Mr. Purdy did not wish to draw on 
the storage batteries until absolutely necessary. 
None oi the arcs were turned on; only the incan- 
descents below deck were switched in. Andy’s hose 
was attached to the boiler, a monkey wrench being 
fastened to the “ blow-off ” so that it could be turned 
instantly. Mr. Purdy carefully adjusted the search- 
light to its best power, and now nothing more re- 
mained but to wait. 

'' Try the inlet! ” said Harry. 

The switch was thrown on; in an instant the 
mighty silver beam, urged by one hundred and ten 
volts’ pressure, shot up into the heavens and was 
as quickly dropped down to the sea, catching the 

Tongue ” in the broadened ray. 

“ There they are ! Three of them ; the last has 
just gotten in,” exclaimed Harry. “ With this 
light breeze they will be here in about half an 
hour.” 

So the brave little party stood there behind the 
great electric lantern, watching the oncoming of a 
bloodthirsty enemy, who alike was stimulated by 
expectation of plunder and thoughts of revenge. 
Fearful odds against them! 

Oh, if we had only planted a few torpedoes ! 


298 


joe's signal code 


Wouldn’t this be a beautiful chance to test them? ” 
said Purdy, never taking his eyes from the slowly 
approaching vessels. 

“ It’s well for us that we are lying bow out to the 
bay,” said Harry, for the vessel had been drawn out 
and turned almost weekly. 

'' Why? ” asked Joe. 

We will try to cut down any that cross our 
bows,” replied Harry. Then to Mr. Purdy : 

Shut her off for a while; we don’t want to guide 
them too well.” 

As he did so, a cry arose from Andy. 

Guckamohl drous uf der say ! ” 

As they turned they saw a broad silver band of 
light gleaming over the waters of the outer sea, just 
in line for the Katharine, but one of the islets that 
stood higher than its neighbors, cut it off ; then the 
light soared up into the sky to the north and steadily 
made a signal by raising three times, then again six 
times; 3 — 6. 

” Is that the Katharine? 

Before the beautiful messenger of light had quite 
finished its signal, the little crew read its import 
with a cheer. Then Mr. Purdy rapidly answered 
3 — I — “ This is the Katharine.” 

Then came 4 — 2 — “ This is the America” and 



“T7<is is the Katherine.'' — Page 298 











6^- ■■;■; ■"_'. V,'" , --. -V 

f • . rt-' 

. ■■esa; 



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'"W 


'> V . •'■■'- ■■''%'* • 

iAt'' V ' 

^ ‘ * - . •* 


, . . ■-. ••niw 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 299 

following it rapidly, Robert Purdy saw flashing in 
the sky: 

Is Robert there? — This is Margie?^ 

“Oh, dear Father, we thank thee! It’s Margie 
herself,” almost gasped the strong man. Rapidly 
signaling in return: 

“ Yes! thank God, all well. Come in by Southern 
Inlet. See beacon. Narrow channel — — 

“ Turn on the pirates! ” shouted Harry’s clear, 
ringing voice. 

Down came the beam, showing the enemy only 
a few hundred yards away. As the light fell on the 
crowded deck of the foremost, a shot rang out from 
the Katharine and two dropped; then another and 
another; then a fusillade poured into that bright 
target, the enemy scattering like sheep before the 
awful hail, but the vessels came on. Now, the 
second fell into the white line; they, too, received a 
volley, but the infuriated freebooters began to return 
the fire and bullets came singing through the rigging 
of the Katharine, aimed toO' high at first. 

At this juncture, Frank called to Mr. Purdy to 
cover the helmsman of the nearer boat. As the light 
fell upon him he dropped like an ox before Miller’s 
unerring rifle. In the meanwhile, the rest were busy 
pouring fire wherever an opportunity showed itself. 


300 


joe's signal code 


Suddenly Harry called to Andy to start the winch. 
''Full speed!'' he called. “Now Mr. Purdy, over 
the bow ! ” 

As the cable rapidly wound in over the drum, 
the noble ship began moving out, the search-light 
showed one of the enemy trying to- steal across the 
bow of the stately ship that now slid out as if by 
magic. In half a minute more, Harry shouted : 

“ All hold I '' There was a dull crash and break- 
ing of timbers; a tall lateen sail keeled over to the 
water as the Katharine crashed into the pirate hull ; 
then a discomfited yell arose from the buccaneers, 
none of whom even made the forechains of the great 
black vessel that suddenly towered over them like 
a horrible thing. 

“ Hold the engine ! " shouted Harry. “ Look out 
for the rest ! ” 

As the search-light swung around, there was a 
crash of glass and the faithful electric servant that 
had done more for them than they yet knew, died 
out, a bullet having penetrated its mechanism, leav- 
ing the combatants in darkness amid the singing 
of bullets that were flying dangerously close and the 
yells of the demons who had expected an easy 
capture. 

But for the few torches of the attacking party. 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 3OI 

the combatants would have been in total darkness. 
The Katharine had again gotten out into the influ- 
ence of the flood tide and swung around with the 
bow to the north, being held by the anchor in the 
bay, while the second and third pirate vessels, that 
had been so rudely repulsed, swung out into the 
bay in response to calls from that direction, leaving 
the beleagured ship for the time. 

Hastily summoning all together, it was found, to 
their joy, that none were hurt. Mr. Purdy reso- 
lutely stood by his search-light until it was disabled 
and then took his place on the deck, flring at any- 
thing in sight. The enemy were just getting their 
fire lower and evidently made the search-light a 
target. 

^‘This time!’’ said Frank Miller, extending his 
hand to Mr. Purdy, we owe our safety and the 
victory thus far to your skill and courage.” But 
the brave man thought only of the events that oc- 
curred before the fight. Like the first encounter, 
the affair did not last over fifteen minutes. 

I wonder what they are doing out there,” said 
Joe, pointing to the direction of the few dim lights 
yet shown by the enemy. 

“ I think they are assisting the one we struck with 
our bow,” said Harry. “ We damaged him badly. 


302 


joe's signal code 


I think. I heard the upper works giving way as 
we hit him. We didn’t have the speed to sink him, 
but it was a close shave.” 

“ Probably they will stand by him until daylight; 
he’s no doubt leaking badly,” said Frank. 

That’s about it,” replied Harry. “ They will 
keep him afloat and to-morrow, when they see what 
a small party we are, will resume the fight. Our 
only salvation now is to have the Edna ready for 
instant departure if they get the better of us. We 
know the America is outside and may yet have to 
fly.” 

There was a profound quiet on the ship; beyond 
the pounding and working at the damaged pirate 
vessel nothing was heard, but a watch was kept up 
on all sides and vigilance was not relaxed. On the 
shore, the rush of the Pelton wheel could be heard 
but the dynamo showed no sign. When the ship 
had pulled out of the creek, the two mains from the 
generator were carried along until stretched taut 
and then, snapping off at the main cut out, they 
fell together into the creek, releasing the load for 
an instant. Then the abandoned wires now lying 
in the bottom of the creek, came into deadly con- 
tact, flashing fire even under the water. With a 
wail, almost like a living thing, the fast-flying arma- 


A MOST WELCOME SIGNALING 303 

ture strained against the mighty influence of its 
own current. 

The overwrought network of wire winding be- 
came heated gradually to incandescence; a flash of 
fire, and the noble machine met its doom, its metal 
heartbroken, no more to throb with lightning rapid- 
ity its pulsation of that mysterious power that its 
masters had transformed for their comfort and con- 
venience. It had committed an involuntary suicide, 
and even now the dismal whir of the frayed out 
ends of the wire sections could be heard by those 
who had cared for it so long. 

'' I was afraid that might happen some time,” said 
Mr. Purdy, and had intended fixing it differently, 
but these savages that they are, left us no time for 
that.” 

“Is the search-light damaged seriously?” asked 
Frank Miller. 

“ Yes ! That is, it could not be fixed to-night,” 
said Mr. Purdy. “ A bullet cut through the carbon 
holders bending and breaking matters ; then it came 
out of the back of the lantern. Their firing was very 
high, otherwise we might have suffered. You will 
see they will try their guns again to-morrow,” said 
he. 

The little crew set to work and fully equipped 


304 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


the Edna with everything- valuable to them so that, 
if pushed, they could leave immediately. Andy 
begged to be allowed to take the Edna down the 
bay, then slowly drift back to the enemy, now fully 
a half-mile out from the ship; when once alongside, 
he would, under cover of the almost impenetrable 
darkness, with the aid of petroleum, fire the whole 
fleet. The faithful fellow never once reckoned on 
the danger to himself, but excitedly ended up his 
request with “ Ich date gleicha de horneasla recht 
rous brenna ! ” which, freely translated, meant, “ I 
should like to burn out these hornets.’' 

But the risk was too great, so he was not per- 
mitted to go. 

If the little yacht were entirely noiseless ! ” said 
Frank, “ it might reach, the plan might work, with- 
out detection, but they’d hear her and you would not 
be able to escape. No! you may have a chance to 
warm them up with live steam to-morrow; it helped 
us out once before and now may do it again.” 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


SEARCHING FOR NEWS 

On the 23d of January, 1894, the yacht America, 
from New York via Cape Town and Samoa, 
steamed majestically into Port Phillip, Australia. 
The following- is part of an item taken from the 
Melbourne Register that evening: 

“ There was but one passenger, Mr. John Littell, 
her owner, whose family, Mrs. Littell and Miss 
Helen Littell, with Miss Williams, a companion of 
the latter, have remained at Samoa with the mother, 
who will probably stay there a year for the bene- 
fit of her health. The America will remain in Aus- 
tralia for several months as Mr. Littell is heavily 
interested in the wool trade, and will probably make 
an extended tour to the interior, with his correspon- 
dents in this port, Messrs. Lamb & Co., for the 
purpose of looking over the ground preparatory to 
purchasing several sheep ranges. The America re- 
ports having passed through the edge of a terrible 


305 


3o6 joe's signal code 

tornado that seems to have been central west of 
Java, extending far into the Indian Ocean.” 

Mr. Littell departed for one of his trips into the 
interior about a week after his arrival, the yacht, 
in the meanwhile, having been docked for the pur- 
pose of making some repairs which would require 
a couple of weeks’ time. 

On February 5, the Register contained the fol- 
lowing account of disaster : 

The Br. ship Meteor from Batavia arrived here 
to-day. She brings with her the captain and part 
of the crew of the ship Katharine from New York, 
bound for Hong Kong. They were picked up at 
sea. Both ships were caught in the hurricane that 
raged on the Indian Ocean last month. Captain 
Warner, of the Meteor, says for two days their ships 
tossed within sight of each other, once escaping a 
collision as by a miracle. The lightning was terrific 
for days without cessation. After the vessels had 
cleared each other, the Katharine was struck by 
lightning and set on fire. Captain Duncan of the 
Katharine, was seriously injured. The crew of the 
ship, under Mr. Henderson, the first mate, fought 
the fire with all available means, but without sue- 


SEARCHING FOR NEWS 


307 


cess, until at last the order for abandoning the vessel 
was given. The first boat was gotten off safely, but 
at great risk. Then the second boat carrying the 
unconscious Captain was launched into the storm. 
The last boat, — the smallest — was left for Mr. Hen- 
derson; one of the crew, and three passengers, among 
them a young brother of Mr. Henderson. Before 
the boat could be gotten from the davits, a huge 
wave struck the side, smashing the little craft to 
splinters. The crews in the other boats were strug- 
gling in the mighty seas and could not render any 
assistance, being hardly able to even manage for 
their own lives. 

“ In about an hour or more, while they were yet 
tossing on the waves about a mile from the ship, they 
saw a heavy cloud of white smoke arise from the 
fated vessel, then night closed in and they saw ht. 
no more. Many of the men wept like children at 
the sight; they had sailed with the first mate since 
he was an articled boy before the mast. 

“ Mr. Henderson and his brother are sons of Cap- 
tain Henderson, principal owner of the Red Cross 
Line. The American Consul has cabled the New 
York office, from which arrangements were made 
at once for transportation of the crew to their 
homes. Captain Duncan, who was struck by light- 


308 


joe's signal code 


ning, is as yet in the Episcopal Hospital, slowly 
recovering from the shock. 

“ One strange feature in the disaster consists in 
the fact that when night was setting in the strug- 
gling boats saw a heavy cloud of light colored smoke 
arise from the ship which was supposed to have been 
an explosion of some part of the cargo as no fire was 
seen in the darkness. This may have brought the 
sufferers quickly to an end of their awful trouble.” 

When Mr. Littell returned to Melbourne, and 
read the foregoing, he hastened to the hospital to 
see Captain Duncan, who corroborated the news- 
paper account as far as he knew it, having been 
unconscious from the moment the lightning struck 
the vessel until some time after they were picked 
up by the Meteor. The Captain was much depressed 
by the loss of life on the Katharine, being especially 
fond of “his boys,” as he called Harry and Joe. 
Mr. Littell insisted upon taking him back with the 
America to San Francisco via Samoa, and from 
there by rail to New York, as the America would 
remain in Melbourne for some months more, by 
which time it was hoped he would be fully restored 
to health. This kind invitation was gratefully ac- 
cepted by the captain, who as yet had but little power 


SEARCHING FOR NEWS 


309 


in one of his limbs. Every possible fact in regard 
to the unfortunate vessel was hunted up by Mr. 
Littell, and to this end he sought the captain of the 
Meteor who could not add anything to the facts 
already known. 

He also wrote to Miss Helen Littell at Samoa, 
communicating the dreadful news, and cautioned 
her not to say anything to her mother for the pres- 
ent. John Littell was a man of tenacity when a sub- 
ject once interested him, and to this very quality he 
attributed his success in life, having held on and 
succeeded when others let go and failed. He could 
not dismiss the disaster from his mind, even though 
he would. What should cause an explosion on the 
Katharine when Captain Duncan told him that, as 
far as he knew, there was nothing of an explosive 
nature in the cargo except some cases of cartridges 
and they were in a distant part of the ship. He 
reluctantly accepted the fact of her loss when Cap- 
tain Warren of the Meteor told him that the chance 
for weathering the hurricane was very slim with 
the small crew they had left on the Katharine. 
Captain Duncan, on the other hand, said that little 
more could have been done than to hold her to the 
seas, for everything was snug and tight. 

Unless,’’ he added, something should give 


310 


joe's signal code 


way under the strain, then a disaster might have fol- 
lowed as there was not crew enough to remedy it.” 

'' But,” queried Littell, what should cause an 
explosion and yet cause a cloud of white smoke? 
Nothing but powder would cause that and you say 
there was none in the cargo except some few cases 
of cartridges and they were remote from the fire. 
Could there have been anything else?” 

“ Is naphtha explosive? ” asked Captain Duncan. 
** I know it takes fire readily and must be handled 
with great care; but is it explosive?” 

“ Well, yes! ” replied Littell. If it escapes in a 
confined space, being very volatile it forms a highly 
explosive gas when mixed with sufficient air. But 
why do you ask? ” 

“ Because we had two barrels on board stowed 
forward in a well ventilated place, almost in the open 
air; it belonged to a naphtha yacht we had in cargo, 
being intended for some special purpose. I knew 
we were required to stow it at that place on account 
of danger from fire. The underwriters' rules are 
strict on this point.” 

“ Then,” replied Mr. Littell, “ it may have been 
ignited by fire even after the vessel was struck the 
first time and from this came some sort of an explo- 
sion, but it wouldn't make a dense white smoke.” 


SEARCHING FOR NEWS 31 1 

One beautiful day toward the close of May, a 
fall month in the Southern Hemisphere, the 
America glided out of the harbor of Melbourne 
bound for San Francisco, after a stop at Samoa. 
On the deck were Mr. Littell, Dr. Peale and Captain 
Duncan, the latter having completely recovered from 
his injuries, and in due time the yacht anchored in 
the reef-bound harbor of Apia. 

As Doctor Peale had recommended; the pro- 
gramme was carried out as origiiially intended. 
Mrs. Littell’s health showed such a marked improve- 
ment that a permanent cure was now looked for in 
even less than a year’s stay there. All news regard- 
ing the loss of the Katharine had been carefully kept 
from her, even to quartering Captain Duncan at a 
hotel while in port, so that she might not see him, 
but when Helen saw him, she could no longer keep 
back the flood of grief that was weighing her down 
and which the bluff sailor tried to assuage by assert- 
ing that there might yet have been an escape made, 
yet in his inmost heart he did not believe it to be a 
fact. 

As fast as papers from the outer world reached 
Apia, Helen and Miss Williams would scan them 
carefully, cutting out any reference to the loss of the 
Katharine. Thus they treasured every scrap of in- 


312 


joe’s signal code 


formation or news as melancholy mementoes, care- 
fully arranging them in a blank book procured for 
the purpose. Anything bearing on the subject of 
derelicts or messages found in closed bottles carry- 
ing news, even though sometimes frivolous, found 
its way into that scrap book that Helen, with Emily 
Williams, had so carefully collated. John Littell 
looked over the book in the almost vain hope of 
finding some grain of comfort, but closed it with a 
sigh. As he did so, Helen gave him two clippings 
she had held in her hand; taking them, he read as 
follows : 

''Hong Kong Courier, March 21, ’94. — The 
English tramp steamer arriving here yester- 

day, reports having seen a small balloon going east 
while in Lat. 9° South — Longitude 100° East on 
the afternoon of March 2d. With a good glass the 
letters ^ A T ’ were made out, they being part of some 
name painted on it in white letters. It is supposed 
it was sent out by some exploring vessel for scien- 
tific purposes. It came from the west and was soon 
lost to view.’’ 

The second was a memorandum dated Apia, April 
25, 1894, given to the American Consul at Apia 


SEARCHING FOR NEWS 313 

and by him related to Helen Littell, who made the 
following note: — 

“ The Captain of the bark Stella arriving at this 
port to-day reports having seen a balloon in Lat. 
10° South, Longitude 102° East, on April i, 1894. 
It was evidently sent up from some passing steamer ; 
there was a name painted on it in white letters, but 
owing to the distance but twO' letters, — ‘ N E ’ — 
could be made out. It came from the west and was 
not flying very high.’’ 

John Littell read these two slips carefully and 
then looked at Helen inquiringly. 

What do you make out of them ? ” 

This! ” said Helen; “ here are two balloons and 
you will observe they were seen in almost precisely 
the same locality, both coming from the west; both 
named; on one they catch 'AT,’ on the other they 
make out ' N E,’ and yet sent out a full month apart. 
No! I do not believe they came from some scientific 
expedition at all, nor from a passing steamer, but 
from some fixed point to the west of Java. Allow- 
ing for the wind, which the captain of the Stella 
said was strong, this balloon may have traveled 
some hundreds of miles and evidently was losing 


314 


joey’s signal code 


its ascensive power. I imagine it had been floating 
say 30 hours at 30 miles an hour.” 

Well?” 

And evidently came from some land that dis- 
tance west of Java ! ” 

But the charts show nothing but some atolls in 
that locality ! ” 

“ Yes ! I know, but they could not come from a 
watery waste.” 

‘‘No! that’s true; but there is one more feature 
that impresses me now,” said he quickly. 

“ What is that? ” asked Emily Williams, who had 
now joined the conversation. 

“ Why 1 the letters ‘A T ’ — ‘ N E ’ are four 
out of a possible nine forming the name of 
K A T H A R I N E.” 

Helen’s face paled as he said this; and then he 
added : 

“ I will use all means to try to solve this and, if 
necessary, make a personal search, but the chances 
are exceedingly slim, I regret to say.” 

“ But my hope is strong, dear father ” 

Then the conversation was brought to a close by 
the entrance of Mrs. Littell and Dr. Peale. 

Through the still hours of that tropical night 
Helen lay awake; again and again listening to the 


SEARCHING FOR NEWS 


315 


whisper of glad Hope. In the distant murmur of 
the surf on the outer reefs she could imagine am 
other shore; far, far away; in the great beyond; 
where anxious hearts might be listening to that same 
restless song of the great Indian Ocean; almost 
hopelessly imprisoned upon a lonely shore. 

Sweet was the blessed hope she now cherished in 
her heart. As she at last sank in slumber she 
dreamily remembered the prophetic words of the 
evening text she read before retiring “ And now 
abideth Faith, Hope, Love, these three, but the 
greatest of these is Love.” 


CHAPTER XXIX 


A BUREAU OF INFORMATION 

After remaining at Apia for a week, the America 
set sail for San Francisco, arriving there about the 
middle of August. Here the yacht was put out of 
commission; the crew sent home to New York by 
rail, with the exception of a few who remained to 
take care of the vessel until she was wanted to return 
for Mr. Littell, about the close of the year. A week 
later Mr. Littell and Captain Duncan entered Cap- 
tain Henderson’s office at the foot of Broadway. 
A lady dressed in deep mourning, accompanied by a 
pretty girl of about nine, was sitting there engaged 
in earnest conversation with the captain, who excused 
himself and arose to greet the two newcomers. His 
voice almost failed him as he grasped Duncan’s hand 
and then recovering himself, he turned and intro- 
duced the callers to Mrs. Robert Purdy. When Cap- 
tain Duncan’s name was mentioned, she reached out 
her hand and then sank back intO' her chair in an 
agony of silent grief. Each of those three stricken 
hearts knew its own story, but now face to face with 
316 


A BUREAU OF INFORMATION 317 

one who was in part a witness to the awful tragedy, 
it came back with dreadful reality to that gentle 
woman. 

‘‘ My dear lady! ” said John Littell, breaking the 
silence, ‘‘ allow me as a friend of your husband — 
who, in midocean in an hour of peril, came to my 
aid — allow me now to come to yours. First of all 
(and I am not saying this egotistically) I am pos- 
sessed of means and it will be a proud and happy 
hour for me when I can befriend anyone belonging 
to Robert Purdy, and more than this, although I do 
not wish to raise any false hopes in the hearts of 
yourself or Captain Henderson; I cannot reconcile 
myself to the fact that the Katharine was burned 
or even lost; and now in order that you may not 
wear yourself out with a hopeless grief, I would 
suggest that we follow a plan of my own daughter 
Helen, who may at this moment (aside from longi- 
tudinal differences) be engaged in this very plan: 
and I am indebted to her care and keen perception 
for what hope we have. My, or rather her, idea is, 
for a keen watch to be kept on all shipping reports, 
not only of New York but of all our American 
ports, and in addition to this we will also receive 
regularly newspapers from Hong Kong, Manila, 
Singapore, Batavia, and other Eastern ports. I 


joe's signal code 


318 

have personally arranged for all of these to be for- 
warded to my office in New York. They will even 
come from Sydney and Melbourne, Yokohama and 
Honolulu. Now it will require someone to scan 
these and collect anything that might have even the 
slightest relation to any missing ship, or wreck, or 
something observed at sea. This person must be 
one whom we can trust and will do it faithfully, and 
thanks to this unexpected meeting, we can decide 
upon that person right now. I think no one may be 
trusted to do this so well as one interested, and that 
person," he added with a cheerful smile, “ is Mrs. 
Robert Purdy. And now that I have the floor, let 
me say further, that the papers are already coming 
in; so if our friend, Captain Henderson, agrees to 
it, I will have an office ready in the Mills Building 
to-morrow, it having already been engaged. As a 
matter of course I understand," addressing the 
others, “ Mrs. Purdy resides in Schenectady, and 
will hardly know how to manage the change, so we 
will have a home ready for her here in New York. 
In fact, everything will be arranged." 

As to the home," interrupted Captain Hender- 
son, '' I have a large, commodious house, now so 
lonely to me. Will Mrs. Purdy and her daughter 
remain there until ” 


A BUREAU OF INFORMATION 3 IQ 

Yes! just the thing! I shall attend to the trans- 
portation of your goods and storage of the same at 
any convenient point you may want them. In the 
meanwhile you may wish to go back to your home, 
probably to-day. If you do, my secretary, Mr. 
Hunter and his wife will meet you and, if necessary, 
one or both will go with you to superintend every- 
thing regarding the ' flitting.’ 

“ And now ! Captain Henderson,” continued this 
cheery man, “you may want to add something.” 

“Yes! ” said the now brightened man, “ I want 
to say that my housekeeper will be telephoned to 
come and take Mrs. Purdy and her daughter in 
charge, so that your Mr. Hunter may call at our 
house and arrange those details, say at three this 
afternoon, and it will certainly not admit of their 
going up the river to-day.” 

“Very good; that’s just the thing! Now Mrs. 
Purdy we (or rather I) haven’t given you any 
chance to raise your voice for or against. If my 
Helen were here I know she could have said more 
in less words, but of course you will accept the posi- 
tion? Remember it is Helen’s proposition together 
with a few ideas of mine. She will attend to the 
Pacific Ocean end of it and be in constant touch 
with us. You would be surprised if you saw the 


320 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


scrap book she already has, away off in that lonely 
island group. In fact we will keep the world under 
our eye.” 

The young woman could hardly express her 
thanks as she assented to the proposition. From the 
depths of despair her soul had risen to witness “ the 
evidence of things not seen,” but John Littell would 
not allow her more than to consent before he cheer- 
ily interrupted her and had all smiling in a moment. 
Then excusing himself for a moment he called out 
Captain Duncan for a few words and then returned 
to say good-by. 

And remember! ” said he, as he bowed himself 
out, ‘‘ Mr. Hunter and his little wife will call upon 
you this afternoon at the Captain’s house.” 

“ Well I ” said Captain Duncan in his deep bass 
voice, “ that man is sunshine in himself. I believe 
his men on the yacht would swim the Pacific to help 
him, if it were necessary, and his daughter, whom 
I met at the Cape, is just perfection.” 

Then he was silent. Did he doubt her theory in 
regard to the Katharine? 


CHAPTER XXX 


HOPE AT last! 

‘‘ I wonder/^ said the elevator boy, what they 
do with so many newspapers in room 207? The 
boy who brings them says they come all the way 
from Honolulu, wherever that is. That lady with 
her little girl can’t half read them. I saw the door 
open the other day — they seemed to be cuttin’ slips 
from them. The door is painted ‘ Red Cross Line,’ 
and then they’s a big map on the wall with funny 
lines on it and red-headed pins stuck around on it.” 

He was talking to the boy on the other car during 
the noon lull, but Number Two couldn’t give him 
any information more than that now and then a 
couple of gents, one of whom he said “ had a voice 
like a foghorn ” went in there and, said he, the 
lady called me in yesterday to send the janitor up 
for to take out the old papers and I see the two gents 
measuring on that map and looking at those pins. 
Then there comes sometimes that good-natured fel- 
low that gives me a quarter now and then. They 
say he owns a private ship that takes him all over 
321 


322 joe's signal code 

the world. There he comes now — always on the 
jump! " 

‘‘ Up! " called No. i ; the door closed with a slight 
bang and in a short space, John Littell was on the 
second floor, knocking at the door of No. 207. In a 
few more minutes the elevator brought up Captains 
Henderson and Duncan, who also knocked and were 
admitted into No. 207. 

The room was one well adapted for the work in 
hand; large and well lighted. On a table in the 
middle of the room lay three open books, the pages 
of which were blank, upon which were neatly 
pasted slips cut from newspapers, of which there 
were quite a number on the table not yet opened. 
On the walls were maps of Polynesia, Indo-China 
and the Sunda Islands in detail, while Mercator’s 
projections of the two hemispheres on a reduced 
scale were lying on the table. By arrangement these 
three sailors met in No. 207 several times weekly to 
look over anything new that had been noted. The 
matter of the balloons was gone over and the posi- 
tions carefully marked. There were several dere- 
licts reported but none answering a description giv- 
ing the slightest resemblance to the missing ship. 
A circular letter was. formulated and sent to the 
United States Consuls at various points throughout 


HOPE AT LAST 


323 


the East Indies, asking their co-operation in the 
matter of getting any clew that might exist. These 
letters were written from John Littell’s office and 
forwarded at once. Nothing was left undone. The 
matter of balloons did not find a firm believer in Cap- 
tain Duncan, who could not, for one moment, con- 
ceive how such a strange thing could happen on a 
ship. It was so foreign to his sea nature that it was 
simply out of the order of things. 

Who would make them, and where would the 
gas come from ? ” he sadly queried. 

“ Was there any sulphuric acid in the cargo of the 
Katharine? ” asked Mrs. Purdy of Captain Hen- 
derson. 

Yes ! there was quite a lot of it in iron carboys.’^ 

Then ! ” said she, “ the hydrogen gas for a bal- 
loon would be easy to manufacture. Robert taught 
me how to make various chemical combinations; 
among them was the manufacture of gases. He had 
a little laboratory at the foot of the yard up in 
Schenectady, where he tried many interesting ex- 
periments and always wanted me with him when he 
tried them.^’ 

John Littell nodded approvingly. 

Another point made,’’ he said. 

Thus the little party met and examined every 


324 


joe's signal code 


straw. Grain by grain was John LittelFs faith 
strengthened but, strange tO' say, Captain Duncan 
sadly shook his head when he was alone. He had 
gone through the storm and knew its fury up to the 
time he was rendered unconscious by the lightning 
shock; it had then required the untiring efforts of 
his crew to keep the Katharine from being disabled. 
How would the few who remained carry her through 
if anything gave way? Thus he reasoned and not 
without grounds, yet hoping that he might be proved 
in error, but he never expressed himself outright as 
to his inmost belief. 

The summer passed without a moment’s relaxa- 
tion on the part of the faithful censor who occupied 
Room No. 207. Then the fall set in again; the 
golden sun painting a picture of rare beauty in 
the Bay on just such an October day, as it had 
done one year before when she telegraphed the last 
long farewell from the landing stairs at the Battery. 
Again she could see the beautiful ship gliding down 
with the tide until at last it was lost beyond the 
headlands, disappearing into the dreamy distance. 
One year ago ; and such a year ! She stood looking 
out from the identical spot that lovely morning, but 
oh, how changed! Then the November gales and 
snow flurries came in to remind people that a sterner 


HOPE AT LAST 


325 


season was at hand. But one bright, bracing morn- 
ing in early December, the messenger came into No. 
207 with his usual batch of papers from John Lit- 
tell’s office. Without a moment of delay each one 
was opened and carefully looked over. There was 
one from Honolulu, two from Yokohoma, one from 
Hong Kong, another from San Francisco, besides 
some answers to inquiries from Consuls at Singa- 
pore and Batavia. It so happened that the last one 
to be read was the Hong Kong T imes. On the title 
page appeared the following item, the sheet being 
dated November 7th, 1894. 

‘‘ The American ship Laurence, Captain Hobbs, 
from Norfolk, U. S. A., to Hong Kong with a cargo 
of coal, came into port yesterday. Her Captain says 
on the night of October 25th, Long. 92 deg. 16 min. 
E., and Lat. 7 deg. 16 min. S., they saw a ray of 
light like that of a search-light thrown up into the 
sky about the angle of 45 deg. It was apparently 
making signals and made the same one three times 
in succession. The light was from some point twenty 
or more miles to the west. It was made by throwing 
the ray up and down like a mighty arm or rod. The 
signal made was ‘ four short — one short — one long 
— five short.' Captain Hobbs made a note of this 
thinking it might meet the eye of some one inter- 


326 


joe's signal code 


ested. It seemed to be signaling at random as there 
was no response from any other point." 

Mrs. Purdy read and re-read this with a palpitat- 
ing heart. There again was the latitude and longi- 
tude almost precisely that of the balloons. Taking 

a pencil she feverishly noted it on paper ‘‘ 

” With a cry of joy she recognized the 

Morse characters, the meaning of which was now 
so plain to her, yet which, in her excitement, she 
had overlooked. Hastily ringing up on the telephone 
she called John Littell and Captain Henderson, who 
were in the room in less than a quarter of an hour. 
With trembling hands she followed out the item 

from the newspaper again. 

“ Help! " John Littell jumped up and almost shouted 
for joy, while Captain Henderson wiped away a 
tear that came trickling down his bronzed cheek. 

“ Here’s Joe’s idea at last ! ’’ cried Littell. “ I 
remember they had a consignment of electric goods; 
they are stranded and safe on some island! — can’t 
get away ! — ship safe ! — ^boys all right ! It’s all plain 
now. — Where’s Duncan — Here he comes ! ’’ 

Captain Duncan hastened in. When the situation 
was explained to him he raised his eyes to heaven 
and murmured : 


At last, thank God!" 


CHAPTER XXXI 


THE PARTY ON THE "" AMERICA 

Nine days after the events recorded in the chap- 
ter just closed, or to be more exact, on the fifteenth 
of December, eighteen hundred and ninety-five, 
the America glided out of the Golden Gate bound 
for Apia. The beautiful yacht was saluted fre- 
quently as she passed, for rumor had gotten abroad 
telling of her errand and its remarkable history. 
On the main deck were Mrs. Robert Purdy and her 
young daughter, John Littell, Captain Duncan and 
Doctor Peale. The America ordinarily carried a 
crew of twenty-five men, but on this occasion there 
were six more for special work. Captain Henderson 
also wished to accompany the party, but it was 
thought best for him to remain in New York for 
the present. After an uneventful voyage the yacht 
stopped her swift propeller in the harbor of Apia, 
where Mrs. Littell, Helen and Miss Williams wel- 
comed them, having received word only two days 
before from Captain Henderson who cabled to Hong 
Kong, from whence the telegram was forwarded by 
327 


328 


joe's signal code 


a sailing vessel just ready for Samoa. For the first 
time, that day Mrs. Littell was told of the disaster 
to the Katharine and now also their hopes for the 
finding of the lost ones. The meeting between Helen 
and Mrs. Purdy was affecting. Their common 
cause had united them across half of the globe with 
bonds of love. Little Fannie Purdy at once became 
one of the family; she was christened Little Sun- 
shine by John Littell; her bright happy nature won 
her to everybody. All haste was made to quit Apia 
so that in twenty-four hours the yacht was again 
on its way westward. 

Mrs. Littell fully recovered her health, having 
been threatened with a pulmonary trouble, all of 
which disappeared, leaving her healthy and strong. 
It was then explained to the party how the search 
was to be made. In order that the most open route 
might be used, the yacht steered due west through 
the Coral Sea and then through the Arafura Sea, 
skirting the north coast of Australia to the open 
Indian Ocean. When they arrived near Long. 92 
deg. E., they would proceed north on this line until 
near Lat. 7 deg. 15 min. S. There would be no 
sailing at night without constant use of the search- 
light. Mrs. Purdy asked permission to learn to 
handle this; a privilege that was most cheerfully ac- 


THE PARTY ON THE AMERICA 329 

corded her. John Littell offered a reward to the 
man first discovering any signs of the lost ones, so 
that when they finally cleared Australia, heading 
northwesterly along the coast of Java, the excite- 
ment, though suppressed, was intense. Men were 
on the lookout night and day. Captain Jones, with 
Captain Duncan by his side, was constantly sweep- 
ing the horizon with a powerful glass, for they had 
now reached the ninety-third meridian and were 
sailing north, keeping somewhat west of that line. 

On the promenade deck sat the ladies talking in 
low tones, one after the other sweeping the horizon 
with powerful binoculars. John Littell was fever- 
ishly pacing the deck, pausing now and then to gaze 
westwardly. The observation at noon placed them 
near the mysterious land. In about an hour more 
the sun will set, and then the gentle Margie Purdy 
will be the genius of the twenty thousand candle 
power search-light, with Helen Littell by her side, 
Joe’s code in her hand; although in truth it 
was memorized long ago. A light supper was or- 
dered, but no one cared for even that. Another hour 
passes, the sun disappears and night comes on with its 
characteristic quickness. Then steals out the glorious 
Southern Cross and its kindred constellations of the 
lower hemisphere, illuminating in quiet splendor the 


350 


joe's signal code 


dark blue dome hanging over that silent sea. Down 
in the yacht’s dynamo room, the electrician has 
tested his voltage and knows the capacity of his 
storage batteries, for the speedy direct generator has 
ceased its low voiced song that has droned since 
morning, impressing itself, as it were, in such a 
mysterious way, on the leaden plates in the accumu- 
lator. All is ready for the magic contact that will 
send its energy forth into space again in the form of 
light as soon as it is turned on. Beside the cylin- 
drical lantern stand Margie Purdy and Helen Lit- 
tell; they have become united by a common bond 
in seeking for lost ones who had been mourned as 
dead, one searching for a loving husband, her best 
and dearest hope in this life; the other — well ! all is 
not recorded that transpired during the pleasant 
week at Cape Town; both trembling with excite- 
ment of the moment. The switch is closed with a 
click; the carbons adjust themselves; then a narrow 
ray of intensely white light has thrown itself into 
the air, broadened by distance into a field of won- 
derful distinctness. It lights up the glittering 
waters, then quickly ascending midway to the zen- 
ith, it catches some low lying clouds or sweeping 
around in all directions, it takes in the vast circular 
field of waters, of which the beautiful white steamer 


THE PARTY ON THE AMERICA 331 

seems to be the absolute center. The circuit is turned 
off. Anxious eyes search the distance for a reply. 
Nothing but dark, impenetrable gloom surrounds 
them, broken only by the stars above and the arc 
lights on the foremast. The yacht has been stopped ; 
there will be no more running that night, so that 
after repeated signals the watchers regretfully go 
below for rest. There is no fear that any part of 
the ocean in this section will be left unexplored, 
for the yacht will go north and south, each time 
keeping more to the west until the lost are found. 


CHAPTER XXXII 


CAPTAIN JONES HAS SUSPICIONS 

The following morning the same anxious watch 
was again commenced, although in reality it never 
for a moment closed on the part of the yacht’s crew 
during the night. The run to the north was soon 
started under an almost cloudless sky. At noon 
observations were taken, showing that the yacht 
was at 92 deg. 30 min. East Longitude and Lat. 
8 deg. 15 min. South. The charts indicated several 
atolls in this vicinity and it might be upon one of 
these they would be found. Shortly after noon the 
cry of the lookout announced “ Land Ahead ! ” 
Scarcely visible to the naked eye, it as yet seemed 
only a small, dull-colored cloud on the horizon. 

“ It is an atoll ! ” said Captain Jones. “ We will 
make it in about twO' hours.” 

As the land rose in the distance the excitement 
grew on the yacht. True, the narrow rim of land 
did not seem a hospitable place, but perhaps the 
missing ship had gained the inside and was disabled. 

‘‘We will go inside if you desire it and the pas^ 
sage admits,” said Captain Jones to John Littell. 

332 


CAPTAIN JONES HAS SUSPICIONS 333 

By all means, if you can,” replied the latter. 
‘‘We shall have at least three hours more daylight 
and it will probably be as good a place to anchor 
as New York harbor.” 

By this time the yacht stood about a mile from the 
coast, slowly making for the lonely belt. When suf- 
ficiently near, the naphtha tender was sent out for 
soundings off shore, and along the passage to this 
singular ocean locked lake. Sufficient water was 
found for safety in the entrance through which the 
beautiful white steamer glided like a great swan. 
There was an oppressive silence on board. Even 
the faint churnings of the screw could be heard in 
this great dead water as they glided along. Mrs. 
Purdy and Helen anxiously swept the inside shores 
for traces of the lost vessel, when someone called 
attention to something near the shore, about one- 
half mile from the yacht, which was yet near the 
entrance. With strange forebodings they headed 
for the object. 

“ A sunken wreck,” murmured Dr. Peak to 
Mr. Littell, who grew pale as they closed in with 
it. 

“ That’s not the Katharine! said a deep voice 
from the bridge, “and beyond there is another 
hulk.” 


334 


joe's signal code 


The words of Captain Duncan took a load from 
the hearts of the anxious watchers, who beheld the 
dismal spectacle now close at hand. 

''No! those vessels were never wrecked in here. 
They were brought in and then wrecked." 

The tender was sent to investigate, taking Captain 
Duncan with them. After giving them a careful 
examination, they returned to the yacht. 

"No I they are strangers; — been in there for some 
years, — ^perhaps," said Captain Duncan, turning to 
go forward, giving a peculiar look tO' John Littell 
who followed him. 

"Poor fellows!" said Helen, "wrecked on this 
lonely strip of island. Do you think. Captain, there 
might be some of the crew wandering around this 
strange island ? " 

" Well! they might be, but it's not likely, unless 
they could find fresh water. At all events you might 
ask Mr. Dittell to have the tender cruise around and 
examine the shores. You see the land is about two 
hundred yards wide from inside to the outer beach 
and I judge the inclosed sheet of water is about five 
miles in diameter — say fifteen miles around. That 
will take them a half a day to get over with making 
search on shore, too." 

Then, turning with John Littell, they walked for- 


CAPTAIN JONES HAS SUSPICIONS 335 

ward to where Captain Jones was standing and were 
soon engaged in a subdued conversation. 

“ Those vessels were not wrecked in here. They 
^were burned, then sunk.” 

“Burned? How? by whom?” asked John Lit- 
tell. 

“ Pirates. We are in one of their nests now, but 
the foul birds are away. I don’t think there’s any 
danger as there’s not a rag of a sail in this pond 
now.” 

“ That’s just what I thought of the wreck,” said 
Captain Jones; then calling Mr. Harris, the first 
officer, he asked : 

“ Is all ready ? ” 

“Yes sir! Everything ready to commence in a 
moment if necessary.” 

John Littell looked at the two men inquiringly. 

“We are ready for any trouble that may arise 
with these freebooters, should they come in here, 
but of course, there’s no use in alarming the ladies.” 

“ And will it be perfectly safe to anchor in here 
to-night ? ” asked Littell. 

“ Perfectly safe,” said Captain Jones, “ but we 
will, as a matter of precaution, anchor near the mid- 
dle and swing* our search-light during the night. 
As soon as the ladies go below the men will receive 


336 


joe's signal code 


their rifles and the two guns will have their hous- 
ings taken off. But I really do not think there’s any 
danger. It’s simply a matter of precaution.” 

When little Fanny Purdy knelt with her gentle 
mother that night and asked God’s protection for 
their friends and for the dear ones for whom they 
were searching, she did not think that the steady 
tramping overhead was done by armed men already 
appointed by His providences to guard them. 


CHAPTER XXXIII 


‘‘ IS THAT THE KATHERINE ' ? ’’ 

The yacht's tender with five well armed men, un- 
der Mr. Harris, left her side at sunrise the following 
morning to make a complete search of the atoll, be- 
ing all the time under the eye of the America, which 
stayed about a mile from shore. From the yacht 
they could see the little boat with its glittering en- 
gine slowly advancing around the great circle, land- 
ing and drawing out again at short intervals, until 
about noon, when they came aboard, having found 
nothing except that they had seen places on the north 
side where there evidently had been some small trees 
chopped down within a year. This was all; yet it 
was the mute witness that man had been there lately. 

“ What was the thickness of the stumps ? " asked 
John Littell. 

'' Not over three inches ! some less," said the of- 
ficer. 

'' What kind of tree was it ? " 

Here's a branch ! " said Mr. Harris, handing 
it to him. “ It has a heavy, big leaf." 

337 


33 « 


joey's signal code 


I can see only one reason for cutting them,” said 
John Littell. 

And what’s that ? ” asked Captain Duncan. 

“ For disguising a boat! Were many cut off? ” 

‘‘No! we found only about half a dozen.” 

“For a small boat; they evidently saw enemies 
they wished to avoid. They must have built a boat 
and tried to escape; they found this island and were 
disappointed in it, having found or seen pirates here, 
disguised themselves and escaped.” 

“ To where? ” asked Dr. Peale. 

“ I imagine not far off : these cuts are not old. 
Captain Hobbs on the Laurence, saw the lights on 
October 25th, I think after they had been here. They 
can’t be far away now.” 

The noon observation was scarcely taken before 
the America was again out on the open ocean. They 
decided now to sail in a circle of perhaps fifty miles 
in diameter, having the atoll as the center. This 
would give them large scope of observation. Com- 
mencing by steaming to the southeast, it was the 
intention to stand westwardly after getting about 
twenty-five miles from the atoll, and then keep going 
in a vast circle, giving them fully twenty or more 
miles’ view from its circumference. 

About three o’clock, the lookout reported three 


‘'^IS THAT THE KATHARINE 339 

distant sail to the northwest, almost lost in the hazy 
distance, evidently sailing south from the neighbor- 
hood of the atoll, but the America soon lost them 
in a dark hazy outline that rose on the western hor- 
izon. 

Land Ho ! to the starboard ! called the lookout. 
There was now a break in the distant haze, giving 
them a clear view. To the west there rose a low, 
dark point from the sea. It was fully twenty-five 
miles away and darkness coming on rapidly. 
Crowding on all steam, the America fairly flew 
through the blue sea on a western course, but just as 
the land came fairly into sight, darkness set in. 

“ We may run another half hour with entire 
safety ! said Captain Jones. Then we will be 
but a few miles from the coast, where we can lay 
to until morning.’’ 

With strange feelings of mingled joy and fear 
they saw the land coming into sight, but now effec- 
tually blotted out by the tropical night. 

“ There’s a high point near the southern end of 
the island ! ” said Helen to her mother, closing the 
glasses. “We could discern that much before the 
sunset. I am just too impatient for the sun to 
return again.” 

When the America stopped her engines, they had 


340 


joe's signal code 


moved probably to within three miles from the land, 
having approached with extreme care, taking sound- 
ings and carefully feeling the way with their search- 
light until the distant shore line could be distin- 
guished. Just as two bells were struck, the yacht 
came to anchor for the night in fifty fathoms of 
water. Again Margie Purdy and Helen Littell stood 
by the powerful search-light which either of them 
could control like a toy. Suddenly a cry arose : 

Look! Look !” — A glorious beam of silver 
light arose from the land in front of them, flying 
into space from a golden point down near the 
distant water’s edge; then it soared back over the 
inner land showing tropical foliage in a confused 
mass, and came to a rest at the water’s edge to 
the north. For a moment stunned, then with a cry 
of joy and a prayer in her heart, Margie Purdy 
turned on the electric current. In an instant her 
powerful ray was high in the air, then sinking it 
down to the earth she tried to catch the source of 
the distant beam, but something intervened. Turn- 
ing it to the north to give it a side view, she made 
the signal — 3 — 6, — “ Is that the Katharine? ” 

The answering ray rose and sank three times, 
paused an instant and sank and rose once more — 
3 — I. — This is the Katharine” 


IS THAT THE " KATHARINE ' ? 34I 

A wild cheer broke out from the whole ship’s 
company. 

Helen leaned on her father’s shoulder and wept 
for joy, yet notwithstanding the terrible strain, the 
indomitable Margie Purdy steadily signaled. — 4 
— 2. — “ This is the America^ Then discarding 
code signals she commenced a series of flashes last- 
ing for a full minute, in the Morse telegraph code. 
She knew her dear husband could read them if he 
still lived. 

''Is Robert there? This is Margie” 

Quickly came the answer: 

Yes! thank God — all well — Come in by the 
Southern inlet. See beacons. Narrow chan- 
nel.” 

The beam sank down and seemed to be sighting 
for a few minutes along the inner harbor. 

“ It must be something serious tO' make them 
do that! ” said Captain Jones after a lapse of some 
minutes; as he spoke the words, the light veered 
around remaining so a short time, then suddenly 
died out and there was no further response to signals 
from the America. At last, when the current was 
shut off, the brave little woman at the search-light 
fell fainting into Helen’s arms. When the crew saw 
the state of affairs, they begged Captain Jones to 


342 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


allow them to try to make the bay with small boats, 
but it was decided that nothing could be done safely 
until daylight, as no one knew the shores, so that 
any attempt to enter might work more harm to the 
boats, than good to the crew of the Katharine, who 
were no doubt prepared for all emergencies. After 
the ladies had gone below, ready to be called in case 
the signals resumed. Captain Jones called John Lit- 
tell and Captain Duncan to one side to discuss the 
matter. 

“ I think,” said he in a low voice, they just dis- 
covered there was some trouble in the bay. In view 
of what we saw at the atoll and then seeing the three 
sail that we lost, it may be that they have been 
called upon to fight pirates and about the first thing 
to suffer was their search-light. Of course we may 
not say anything to the ladies for this is only sur- 
mise.” 

''Have they arms on board?” asked John Lit- 
tell of Captain Duncan. 

" Yes! there is quite a consignment of Winchester 
rifles and cartridges. Harry knows it and it is likely 
that after their trip to the atoll they have gotten them 
out for service. Then Mr. Miller has his own guns 
with him, and woe betide the man upon whom he 
draws a bead, at any distance. Let us hope we are 


"" IS THAT THE KATHARINE ^ 343 

mistaken. It may have been some stoppage of their 
electric apparatus/' continued he. 

But why should the light be withdrawn from 
signaling and sighted elsewhere just at the mo- 
ment they are found and have come back to us, as it 
were, from death ? ’\ 

‘‘No!" said Captain Jones, “.1 feel that some- 
thing serious has happened and can assign only one 
reason and that I have already given. But let us 
hope that Providence, who has been so kind to us 
thus far, will also carry them through to the end. 
We will be under way just as soon as we get light 
enough to move in the morning." 

So the party separated for the night, but nobody 
slept; nor was there a sign of any kind from the 
strange island in front of them, in response to re- 
peated signals from the America. 


CHAPTER XXXIV 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 

Joe was the only one who slept that night. Harry 
insisted that he should go below, which he did, ac- 
companied by the faithful Toby, who had been kept 
in the forecastle during the action. The others re- 
mained on deck, anxiously watching for any move 
that might be attempted by their foes. Now and 
then signals were seen from the America, but they 
were powerless to respond. Mr. Purdy was sta- 
tioned at the bow, Frank amidships with Andy at the 
stern, while Harry patroled the vessel. 

“ IPs simply horrible! ’’ said Frank, in a low tone 
to him, “ tO' have this fuss at the very moment our 
friends come into sight. Since we have had some 
quiet, Pve been trying to think how they found us, 
and there’s Purdy’s wife, too. The poor fellow was 
almost overcome when that part of the message 
flashed out.” 

“ Now that I think of it,” said Harry, you re- 
member how I told you how he seemed possessed the 
day we were upon Mount Hope, when he said as if 


344 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 345 

in a dream that our deliverance was coming. The 
poor fellow certainly had great faith.” 

Did you notice to-night, he never swerved while 
he was swinging the search-light,” continued he; 
“ they simply began making a target of it and he 
swinging it just as we called. I looked at it a while 
ago ; there are six bullet holes in it, every one of them 
he must have heard strike. Upon the whole, I’m glad 
it was put out of the fight. It’s a wonder he wasn’t 
hit. In the excitement of the moment, I never 
thought of his danger.” 

All this was carried on in a low tone as Harry 
stopped for a moment with Frank Miller. Then 
passing on he made a sharp search of the bay as 
he went along. Not a sound was heard excepting 
now and then a dull noise from the fleet of pirates 
as they were apparently engaged in repairing their 
consort. 

So the night passed without further incident. Just 
before dawn, Harry made breakfast, of which all 
partook in turn, then assembling for one moment 
in prayer, they took their stations and watched for 
the return of day, the end of which none could fore- 
see. The Katharine was still out in the bay, it hav- 
ing been deemed unsafe to draw her back into the 
creek in the darkness, but everything was in readi- 


346 


joe's signal code 


ness to take their old position as soon as it was light 
enough to see the shore. There was reason for this^ 
in that, if the contest should go against them, the 
defenders could easily reach shore in case they could 
not escape on the Edna. The dynamo, of course, 
could not be of service any longer, but the storage 
batteries were still charged to almost their full ca- 
pacity; as but little current had been used in the 
short time the search-light was in action. On the 
shore, the water wheel was humming under the 
pressure from the lake, while the dead armature 
buzzed around in its bearings, making itself heard 
through the still night. Andy again raised steam 
in the boiler of the hoisting engine, ready to pull 
on the inshore cable at a word from his young com- 
mander, whom he almost adored. Coming from the 
‘‘ Old Fatherland ” at an early age, he retained that 
military respect and obedience ingrained in the Ger- 
man, but grew up among that thrifty population 
that settled along the Blue Mountains of Pennsyl- 
vania, imbibing their ideas and at last speaking their 
singularly elastic patois, which helps itself over 
stubborn sentences by the use of English or higher 
German with a freedom that makes Pennsylvania 
Dutch a law unto itself. Then drifting to the great 
metropolis on a coal barge loaded with shining an- 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 34/ 

thracite, he found a new sphere in the service of the 
Red Cross Line, with which he had been for the 
past four years, it being to him father, mother and 
home. As he stood there at that early hour, his 
bared arms folded over the broad chest, looking sea- 
ward through the gloom, he softly uttered in his 
emphatic tongue his opinion of their foes, to whom 
he would show no mercy, nor did he ask, or much 
less expect any from them. 

The eastern sky showed its first indications of sun- 
rise that would suddenly come upon them and, wish- 
ing to move the ship unobserved, Harry gave the 
order to start the engine, which was done, drawing 
the noble ship stern first to her old berth just as the 
tide had swung her into the right position. The dawn 
had now advanced, making it light enough to see 
nearby objects, so by the time the Edna was secured 
under the stern, the little crew beheld their enemies 
about the middle of the bay, a full mile away, lying 
together under close reefed sails, evidently waiting 
for dawn to make an attack. Out on the ocean noth- 
ing was visible, the haze and light mist rendering 
even the islets invisible from the Katharine. And 
the America must certainly be only a few miles from 
that rocky shore. 

‘‘ It's a pity we hadn’t time to tell them the state 


348 


joe's signal code 


of affairs/' murmured Harry. “ They might have 
gotten in to help us,” and then he thought of the 
danger to which they might have been exposed and 
dismissed the thought. 

There they go! ” shouted Frank Miller. “ One 
to the north, one to the south and one coming 
straight across; they can't make us out just yet and 
are going tO' surround us.'' 

“ They’ll find out their mistake in a few minutes 
when they can see better,'' said Harry. 

The middle one is coming straight for us,'' ex- 
claimed Joe. 

“ Sure enough,'' said Harry. ‘‘ He evidently 
thought he ran into us last night and now that he 
can see us will come boldly. Reverse the gear, Andy ; 
we’ll teach him the trick he failed to learn last 
night.” 

By this time the diverging pirate vessels saw m 
the broad daylight that the Katharine was no longer 
out in the open water and were no doubt wondering 
whether they had seen aright, for there she was, 
placidly at anchor in the mouth of the creek; as a con- 
sequence before they could recover their lost ground, 
the central vessel was fully a half-mile in advance of 
the others. The position at this moment was like the 
head of a great arrow, the foremost vessel being 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 349 

the point, while the other two were at the two rear 
barbs, and all three headed for their unfortunate vic- 
tim, that, for want of a crew, could do nothing but 
wait. At least this is what the wily villains thought. 

They don’t expose themselves much,” said Mr. 
Purdy. “ Even the helmsman has a plank protec- 
tion.” 

“If it’s not over six inches thick,” replied Frank, 
“ I think this 43-calibre will pierce it.” 

Then he slowly carried the dull blue steel barrel 
to position, for they were now almost in range. 

“ By the way ! ” said he, dropping it. “ I almost 
forgot ; there at the mainmast stands my double bar- 
reled Greener. The cartridges are loaded with 
buckshot; if they begin coming aboard, someone 
had better use that,” and then his deadly rifle opened 
the battle. The splinters flew from the plank de- 
fense and a big Malay staggered out from behind 
the cover, evidently wounded badly, but the rapid 
Winchester had the range now and ball after ball 
tore its way through the plank, driving out at least 
half a dozen men, all more or less injured. 

“ They have the helm lashed, and are coming 
straight ahead ! ” shouted Harry, amid the reports 
from all the rifles. 

Noziu, Andy, let her go! Full head! thtn stiz- 


350 


joe's signal code 


ing the wheel himself, the Katharine again slid out 
of the creek, headed straight for the wavering pirate 
that had just escaped the rising cable coming up like 
a serpent along his port side. Nor was the enemy 
idle; their bow gun had already been in position 
and two gunners came to grief, but the third touched 
the priming, a flash and a roar — then a round shot 
buried itself in the very cutwater of the big black 
vessel, now so nearly upon them. 

Hold hard! " rang out Harry’s voice. A grind- 
ing crash was heard, the force of which was aug- 
mented by the speed of the oncoming pirate, who 
received the shock end on, causing the big ship to 
tremble under the impact, while the smaller vessel 
reeled under the blow. There was nO' more firing 
on either side. 

''Haul hack!” shouted Harry. "We want to 
keep clear of him ! ” But it was not necessary, for 
the damaged corsair fell back under the blow and 
then settled by the head, sinking rapidly, her vil- 
lainous crew rushing to their boats, signaling for 
assistance to the other two who were now yet a 
quarter of a mile distant. These had already com- 
menced using their bow chasers, but in the supreme 
moment of the collision, which in all its details had 
occupied only a few minutes, their guns were not 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 


351 


noticed as they had not gotten the range. Taking 
advantage of the confusion, a hasty examination was 
made of the bow o-f the ship and beyond some slight 
damage to the cutwater the Katharine was intact, 
but the infuriated pirates now made the bay ring 
with their yells and it was evident that they were 
bent on revenge. 

“ We won’t get off so' easy now ! ” said Purdy, 
who had been standing on the bow pouring his fire 
into them,. “ They are going to bombard us with 
their guns at longer range than we can reply to.” 

'' But they’re not out of my range just yet,” said 
Frank, springing up into the foretop. 

In a moment more a white cloud issued from the 
bow of one of them, followed by a dull report. The 
projectile struck the water near the vessel and rico- 
chetted up the creek. Before the second vessel could 
get her gun into use, a rifle spoke out from the fore- 
top and instantly there was confusion at that gun^ 
a shot striking it near where the gunner was stand- 
ing a moment before. 

''I have the range now!” said Frank, “they 
won’t try it from there and the farther away they 
get the more inaccurate will be their firing.” 

The battle had raged for a full half hour. The 
Katharine had suffered some and several close calls 


352 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


were made, for the pirates had commenced firing 
with small arms as the first vessel approached again. 
It was very evident they intended to depend upon 
boarding and had not expected such disastrous re- 
sults to the first vessel. Had the Katharine re- 
mained out in the open water, they would have suc- 
ceeded as they had planned an attack from three 
points. They now separated and were each coming 
in from an angle, avoiding the wreck which lay in 
their path, and were bent upon making one more 
desperate attack from two points. The breeze fav- 
ored them in this, as it came directly from the east. 
Closing in, they discarded their useless guns, which 
none could approach without danger from the 
deadly rifles of their antagonists — they came on with 
every man covered or concealed. The helmsman 
this time protected by a bulwark of spars and other 
truck so placed that the only damage that the rifles 
did was to tear up the deck and pierce the light 
work behind which it was thought were concealed 
men. Not a sign of one was apparent. The great 
lateen sails, which these born sailors knew so well 
how to handle, were dexterously set and controlled 
from some hidden position. The decks seemed ab- 
solutely deserted, yet the two vessels came slowly 
but surely before the light breeze that would bring 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 353 

them to the Katharine inside of ten minutes. Shot 
after shot was sent into them at long range as they 
came floating on, but without the least apparent 
effect. 

Mr. Purdy and Joe threw on the switches, which, 
up to this time, had been left open, while Andy stood 
at his boiler with the ship's hose attached ready 
with one turn of the blow-off, to carry into 
effect his novel method of defense, which was to 
be used only as a last resort. The enemy were not 
more than a few hundred yards distant, now seem- 
ing to make less headway as they drew nearer. Out 
to the east, the light haze had lifted to such an 
extent that a vessel lying a few miles off shore might 
be visible, but no sign of the America. “ Perhaps 
they have gone down toward the southern inlet ! " 
said Joe. “ They may have seen the beacon on 
Mount Hope and drew in that way," continued he. 

It’s a great pity we hadn’t time to tell them of 
that passage before these heathens attacked us.’’ 

Purdy did say something to them, but the fight 
came on so quickly that I forgot to ask him or Joe 
what it was, and they haven’t thought to tell us of it 
since," said Harry. 

The situation at this time was growing desperate. 
Their enemies were so near them that small objects 


354 


joe's signal code 


could be discerned on their decks, and though moving 
slowly but surely on their prey, not a living thing 
was in sight. The Katharine lay quite close to the 
shore in the mouth of the creek so that the ship could 
be approached only from one side. This rendered 
it necessary for one of the ships to cross over her 
bows while the other came straight in from the bay 
and that one was as yet the farthest from the creek. 
The pirates did not see their error until the leading 
vessel found that they must either ground shortly or 
run across the cable and they well knew the conse- 
quences of such a move as was shown by the sunken 
wreck, the mast of which still projected some feet 
above the water. “ I didn’t think he would fall into 
a trap like that,” said Harry, “ for it practically puts 
him in a corner, for a while at least, but here comes 
the other one straight for our side.” 

Mr. Purdy had already opened fire on the barri- 
cade around the helm, but, like the other vessel, no 
one was in sight, though the gallant little crew well 
knew that beneath those shallow decks swarmed a 
cruel bloodthirsty horde, only waiting for their ves- 
sels to come alongside. It was but a matter of a 
moment before they could be close enough to 
grapple. 

Go ahead, "Andy!"' rang the clear tones of 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 355 

Harry’s voice, and for the third time the Katharine 
left the creek, sliding past her astonished enemies to 
the left, who, by this move, were completely un- 
covered from the rear, into which there was poured 
a volley as they passed, but with what result could 
not be seen. 

But it was only a fight for time, as the other 
vessel now closed in and grappled before they could 
prevent it, and in a moment dozens of swarthy 
forms came clambering up the sides. As they came 
over the rail, they fell, as though paralyzed before 
the rude shocks of the ever awake storage battery. 
Frank’s heavily loaded shotgun came into action, 
dealing destruction at each discharge; already he 
had received a cut in the left arm from a savage 
kriess from one of those who had jumped ^over 
without coming in contact with the electric wires. 
Mr. Purdy was engaged with three Malays, one 
of whom was just raising his pistol to his breast, 
when a bullet from Joe’s rifle broke the assailant’s 
arm. The decks were getting cloudy with smoke 
from the firearms and the electric wires snapped 
tongues of purple fire wherever an occasional kriess 
crossed them. 

By this time a new danger threatened them for 
the vessel they so unceremoniously left in the creek 


356 


joe's signal code 


had dropped boats loaded with men to assist in the 
fray. It was well for the little crew that their 
assailants were not as proficient in the use of fire- 
arms as they were with their murderous crooked 
daggers that were more like swords, which these 
savage creatures handled with a dexterity that was 
marvelous. It was evident that the fight could not 
be kept up long against such overwhelming odds. 
True many of the pirates grasped the heavily 
charged wires and dropped back into the water, 
only to ascend again, avoiding them if possible. 
It, of course, gave more time to the beleagured 
crew who were fighting their way back toward the 
stern amid shots and yells from their desperate 
enemies. Three times had Harry’s life been in 
danger, each time saved by Andy whose whole care 
seemed to be in guarding the others. Then another 
boatload reached the deck with hideous cries, making 
a running charge toward the little party fighting 
its way to the rear. Suddenly there was a scream 
through the air, then a crash of woodwork on the 
pirates alongside, followed by a heavy, short report. 
Then another and another. 

“ Du Lievicha zeit dot kummt der dampfer ! 
Hooray, de America's coming I ” shouted the 
almost frantic Dutchman, who, until now, had 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 357 

shown no emotion further than to express himself 
in his favorite way whenever he knew he hit an 
enemy. Above the din, the deep-toned whistle 
of the America came like a song, her rapid fire guns 
spitting out destruction at every shot. Not more 
than a quarter of a mile distant in the south, the 
magnificent yacht was racing full speed, her sharp 
cutwater sending the foam curling back along her 
pure white sides. 


What does it read, Mr. Harris? ” 

Here is a copy of the board, sir,’’ said that 
officer to Captain Jones. 

The America had slowly approached the beacon- 
marked shore at the southern end of the island the 
morning after its discovery. Handing him the card, 
he read : 


— Channel — 

10 fathoms deep, 12 fathoms wide 
Marked by buoys. 

Dangerous rocks outside of buoys, 

Ship Katharine at No. end of Bay 
Plenty water inside. 

‘‘ Is the channel straight ? ” 

** Yes, sir ! fairly straight. I think we can run 


358 


joey’s signal code 


it with safety. If you desire it, we will lead the way 
with the launch.” 

All right ! pilot the way and trail a nine fathom 
lead as you go.” 

The day had now dawned. The graceful white 
steamer slowly made its way through Providence 
Channel lined on each side with dangerous reefs, 
now and then showing their ugly heads above water. 
Ahead of them they could see an opening into a 
hazy beyond, evidently a wide inside bay from which 
the sun had not yet chased the vapors of the night. 
Helen and Margie Purdy stood with clasped hands 
as they progressed through the narrow strait. Then 
the launch, which had kept a few fathoms in ad- 
vance, shot out into open water and stopped for 
orders, reporting deep water. To their left arose 
a beautiful dome-shaped eminence covered with 
tropical vegetation, while on the extreme summit 
stood a beacon which they had seen as they ap- 
proached the island. The two young women silently 
wept as they pictured how the lonely castaways 
might have watched from that beacon standing 
gaunt and grim on the crest. 

That sounded like a gun ! ” said the second 
officer, as a dull report broke the stillness of the 
morning. Then another report. 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 359 

Has the Katharine any guns aboard ? ” said 
John Littell in a low tone to Captain Duncan. 

No! but I wish at this moment she had,” said 
he with an anxious look on his bronzed face. 

By this time the haze had risen and disclosed a 
scene that created a thrill of horror on tfle America. 
About three miles to the north they saw twO' vessels 
under lateen sails making for a point inshore where 
their powerful glasses showed the tops of a ship 
evidently at anchor. Then a cloud of smoke un- 
folded itself from one of them and before the dull 
report could reach them, Captain Jones rang for 
Full speed ahead ! ” A yell broke forth from the 
crew — '' Pirates 1 ” 

“ Mr. Harris, hand out arms ! make ready the 
guns!” then turning to the ladies Captain Jones 
politely requested them to step below. 

Mr. Harris and the second officer had the rapid 
fire guns ready for action when Helen Littell sprang 
forward, saluting the Captain. 

I claim the privilege! Will you allow it? ” 
‘‘With pleasure! There is no one on this boat 
can serve it better. We will be in range soon. Fire 
at will. Better take this fellow who has grappled.” 

Then rang out a sharp, loud report and a four- 
pound projectile crashed into the hull of the aston- 


36 o 


joe's signal code 


ished pirate; then another and another in rapid suc- 
cession from the two guns, every shot telling, as the 
yacht flew along. At this time one of the vessels 
came out of the creek and headed up the bay, fol- 
lowed by the spiteful projectiles from the yacht, 
which was now not a quarter of a mile away. The 
second vessel hastily commenced clearing itself, but 
before the last of the assailants jumped over the 
sides, there arose a white cloud of dense smoke from 
the deck of the ship where a fearful battle had raged. 
They had heard the rapid discharges of guns 
mingled with the yells of the attacking outlaws, 
then, with the white pall over them, the battle 
ceased. 

Horror and anxiety were depicted on the faces of 
the rescuers, for the moment the escaping pirates 
were forgotten as the yacht approached the ship, 
from which the smoke of battle was slowly disap- 
pearing. 

Leaving the ladies behind, the launch, with Cap- 
tain Duncan, John Littell, Doctor Peale and Mr. 
Harris, hastily departed for the Katharine. 

“ What's that ? " exclaimed John Littell, pointing 
to a mast projecting from the water in front of the 
Katharine. 

** A sunken wreck," said Captain Duncan. But 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 361 

how did they doit? Ah! I see now. Harry has been 
using a method we sometimes resort to for pulling 
into berth at docks.'' 

'' They used steam! " said John Littell, and de- 
pend upon it we shall see that it has played an im- 
portant part for the boys before this." 

“Ship ahoy!" hailed Captain Duncan’s loud, 
bluff voice, but it was hardly necessary, for ex- 
pectant forms were awaiting them at the rail, and 
one sent a cheerful answer. 

“ I see but three,” said John Littell, with an in- 
ward feeling of dread. 

“ There are five, or should be if the Dutchman is 
with them," said Captain Duncan, then rising in the 
launch with suppressed excitement, he exclaimed : 

“ Purdy is missing, and perhaps Andy ! " 

They reached the deck; Joe threw his arms around 
Captain Duncan’s neck with a cry of joy; then burst- 
ing into tears, seized Doctor Peak’s hand and fairly 
dragged him to the rear, hastily followed by the 
others. There on the deck, with his head in the 
faithful Andy’s lap, lay Robert Purdy, wounded and 
nigh unto death. Hastily opening a small case of 
surgical apparatus that he had brought with him, 
Doctor Peak at once commenced an examination of 
the wound. A fearful jagged cut in the left breast. 


3^2 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


from which the blood was slowly trickling. The al- 
most unconscious man had barely strength enough 
to raise his hand, which was grasped by John Lit- 
tell and then with a faint smile, relapsed into insensi- 
bility. 

Doctor Peale knelt by his side, placir^ his ear in 
the region of the wounded man’s heart, rose and 
turned to the silently weeping boy, saying: 

“ My son ! I think he will live.” 

There was not a face in that silent little party that 
was not wet with tears, but the cheering words 
turned them to tears of joy. 

It is a fearful cut ! ” said the surgeon after he 
had made a thorough examination, and he is near 

the brink. Let us hope ” 

And pray ! ” said the deep-toned voice of Cap- 
tain Duncan. 

Sending the launch back to the America for help, 
a boatload of men came and they, under Captain 
Duncan’s directions, soon cleared the deck of all 
traces of the awful fight. Such bodies as lay there 
were carried up the bay and consigned to the bottom 
before the ladies were allowed to come over. Then 
John Littell, taking the launch, returned to the 
America. There were anxious faces awaiting him. 
Oh, why doesn’t he call out now,” murmured 


THE BATTLE WITH THE PIRATES 363 

Helen as the sprightly little boat approached the 
iron stair. 

Oh, mysterious Lines of Force ” ! There are 
influences that are far stronger than yours. They 
created a soul magnetism that has gone through 
time and space, drawing loving souls to their affini- 
ties. Now, in the supreme moment of danger and 
peril, that which was a sweet secret in Helen Lit- 
telhs heart, expressed itself in an agonized cry : 

“ Father, are they safe? ’’ 

'‘Yes! all but one; he is wounded, but will recover 
with God’s help. It is Robert Purdy.” 

With a cry of grief, the devoted wife sank fainting 
to the deck. 


CHAPTER XXXV 


THE KATHARINE LEAVES HUDSON ISLAND 

Anchored out in the bay, away from all ex- 
traneous sounds, for men were busily engaged in 
overhauling the imprisoned ship preparatory to tow- 
ing it out to blue water; was the America. Down 
in the beautiful cabin was gathered a silent group. 
To the right opened a door into a commodious state 
room, from which, at intervals, came expressions 
of delirium. At the bedside of Robert Purdy, for 
this vessel was fitted like a luxurious home, stood 
Doctor Peale, thoughtfully gazing at a surgical 
thermometer. 

‘‘Temperature 103!’^ he murmured with some- 
thing like a stifled sigh as he replaced it in its case. 
On the opposite side of the bed, with the sufferer’s 
hand in hers, seeing only the loved form before her, 
knelt Margie Purdy in silent prayer. For a moment 
not a sound escaped the wounded man’s lips, then as 
if in a dream, 

“ They will come ; — / know it. — Joe, throw in the 

switch! — Ifs Margie herself! I 

364 


“KATHARINE’' LEAVES HUDSON ISLAND 365 

Then the voice dropped to an unintelligible 
whisper. An hour of silent watching passed. Once 
more Doctor Peale felt that fevered pulse. An ex- 
pression of surprise covered his face; trying it 
again he then placed his hand on the high forehead 
of the suffering man. It had broken out into a light 
perspiration. Trying his temperature once more, he 
turned and said in a low tone : 

“ And now, my faithful nurse, he has passed the 
danger line. Three weeks in this pure air may see 
him strong again.” 

Even as he said so, the wounded man turned 
his face to his devoted wife and murmured her 
name. 

The crisis had passed! There was joy in the 
hearts of that waiting little company when the sur- 
geon gave them the glad news, but cautioned them 
against exciting the patient, who would, if nothing 
unforeseen occurred, be able to talk freely in a few 
days. The news was taken to the Katharine by the 
launch; when it reached there, three ringing cheers 
were heard across the water, but Andy did not join 
them; he wept for joy. 

There was another assembling of that same party 
in the handsome cabin of the America about a 
week later, this time under different circumstances. 


366 


joe's signal code 


Robert Purdy had grown stronger tO' such a degree 
that he now was able to occupy an easy chair. There 
was one more in the group this time, for Andy had 
been summoned over from the ship that was now 
almost ready to depart with a crew of twelve men 
taken from the America. Toby was there, too, and 
became a general favorite but he always found a 
place near Joe, from whom he could hardly bear to 
be separated. 

For the first time the battle was talked over in 
all its details, and then as Andy was called upon to 
describe it, he told how, just as the yacht’s guns 
commenced firing he turned on the blow-ofif at the 
boiler and dashed into the midst of the last gang 
that had come from the small boat and distributed 
his steam and boiling water with a liberal hand just 
as Mr. Purdy was struck down. He told in his 
comical way how he breed ” them as they rushed 
with yells of pain from the deck amid the reports 
of the yacht’s guns and the roar of his terrible 
steam hose. 

“ Sie sin gore avich gesprunga,” said he excitedly, 
forgetting that the amused Purdy was the only one 
who understood him. Then the company broke up 
for the evening; after an excursion was planned for 
the following day, which would be the last for the 


“KATHARINE” LEAVES HUDSON ISLAND 36/ 

Katharine at Hudson Island. The America was to 
tow her through Providence Channel within forty- 
eight hours. 

At eight o’clock the next morning, the Edna, ac- 
companied by the yacht’s launch, gayly left the side 
of the America, headed for the creek. There were 
in the boats John Littell, Helen and Mrs. Littell, 
Harry with Emily Williams and Miss Fannie 
Purdy; while Doctor Peak, Frank Miller, Joe and 
Toby had already gone in on foot, awaiting the party 
at the Singing Falls. As they moved up the creek, 
resplendent with tropical vegetation and alive with 
beautiful birds, they could not repress their admira- 
tion of the sight, but when they reached the eleva- 
tion and saw Fairy Lake, a spontaneous cry of 
surprise arose from the delighted party. Then the 
Temple was visited. Helen and Emily Williams 
took several photographs of the strange old ruin, as 
the explorers rambled through its silent courts, 
while their admiration of the massive proportions 
and beautiful architecture was unbounded. Then 
there was an afternoon dinner at the Lake, all agree- 
ing that there was but one thing wanting to make 
it a perfect day’s outing, and that was the presence 
of Robert Purdy and his charming wife. When the 
party assembled at the Falls for their trip down the 


368 


joe's signal code 


creek, it was discovered that Helen Littell and Harry 
Henderson were missing. 

“ I don’t think it will be necessary to send an 
expedition after them,” said Frank, and then added 
with a smile, “ I guess this is a case where Joe’s 
signals won’t work.” 

But Joe was an innocent boy still, and did not 
comprehend; however the missing pair made their 
appearance shortly, loaded with tropical curiosities, 
and looking very happy. 

Notwithstanding the work done upon the Kath- 
arine, Captain Duncan said she would not be ready 
for another day, which was taken up by John Littell 
with Frank and Joe, in a trip to Western Bay and the 
Oil Spring. They returned in the afternoon, when 
the launches were once more engaged in another 
careful survey of Providence Channel, showing that 
the Katharine, witli great care, could be towed out 
the following morning as soon as the tide permitted. 

Taking the ship in tow during the afternoon, the 
America steamed down the harbor to the point 
where the Katharine anchored after the awful fight 
with fire and storm. It being the last night at the 
island, Helen held a reception on the America. 
There was music by an excellent orchestra from the 
yacht’s crew, followed by games and amusements of 


“ KATHARINE LEAVES HUDSON ISLAND 369 

different kinds. Before sending the men to their 
quarters, they were assembled on the main deck, 
where, in a neat little speech, they were thanked for 
their faithful services by John Littell, who further 
gladdened their hearts by stating that a handsome 
bonus awaited each one at Hong Kong, from Cap- 
tain Henderson, on behalf of the Red Cross Line. 
Three ringing cheers were given for the speaker, 
then three more were proposed by Captain Duncan 
for the gallant young Captain and his little crew 
who brought their ship safely through fire and 
storm, and finally a rousing cheer was given for 
Joe and his signals; then the men turned in for the 
night, for a critical piece of work was on hand for 
the next morning. 

The party in the cabin were not bound by rules 
of discipline. There were Captains Jones and Dun- 
can, and John Littell engaged with Frank Miller off 
in the smoking room. Mr. Purdy with Mrs. Littell 
and Margie Purdy and Emily Williams seated at a 
table engaged in earnest conversation, while Joe cir- 
culated everywhere. The bright, tropical moon 
looked down on a truly happy party that night, but 
none happier than Helen Littell, unless it was Harry 
Henderson for somehow these two had again 
started off for a short stroll on the moonlit deck. 


3;o 


joe's signal code 


Before the party broke up for the night, it was ar- 
ranged that Mr. Purdy should remain on the yacht 
until she reached Hong Kong, first stopping at Ma- 
nila to see to the delivering of some of his electrical 
machinery, which he laughingly said might now be 
out of date for the electrical progress nowadays was 
very rapid. 

As to the island itself, there was nothing to be 
feared from the pirates again and furthermore, since 
it was now formally taken as a possession of the 
United States, a gunboat would be sent there from 
the East Indian squadron to break up their lawless 
practices. 

“ That they were not destroyed right here was 
simply owing to the desperate state of affairs on the 
ship,” said Captain Jones, “ but I think they went 
off with so many marks of our displeasure that they 
may be glad to have gotten off at all.” 

The following morning, just as the tide turned, 
the yacht made fast a steel hawser to the ship and 
slowly drew into Providence Channel. Captain 
Duncan put his best man to the wheel. Slowly but 
surely the gallant ship made her way between the 
jagged rocks through which she dashed, over a year 
ago. The narrowest part of the channel is passed; 
in a short time the noble ship made her bow to the 


‘"KATHARINE” LEAVES HUDSON ISLAND 3/1 

gentle swell of the Indian Ocean. Then the hawser 
was cast off and sail made to a favoring breeze from 
the northwest. 

The yacht remained behind for a while to run 
across to Western Bay to examine the coast as to a 
possible harbor, intending to catch up with the ship 
during the afternoon. As the vessels parted, there 
was a signal made by a fluttering handkerchief from 
the stern of the America to a little group on the cabin 
deck of the departing ship. It said “ 6 — 4,” whereat 
the young mate blushed deeply; Frank Miller and 
Joe smiled pleasantly but said nothing. 


CHAPTER XXXVI 


THE ISLANDERS REUNITED 

Six weeks after the foregoing, the Hong Kong 
Times of April i, 1895, contained the following ar- 
ticle : 

Our readers may remember an incident recorded 
in our issue dated November 7th, 1894, in which 
Captain Hobbs of the American ship Laurence tells 
of a singular light or signal he saw in the west while 
passing along the west coast of the Sunda Islands. 
It was repeated twice, and although several miles 
away, he made a note of it, as before stated. 

Now comes tO' light one of the strangest occur- 
rences that has ever been noted by the Times. The 
signal was made by a search-light from the Red 
Cross Line ship Katharine, that Vv'as reported on 
fire and afterward lost in the terrible hurricane that 
swept the Indian Ocean in January, 1894. 

‘‘ Most of the crew escaped by boats after the ves- 
sel had been struck by lightning, leaving the first 
mate, one of the crew and three passengers to take 
the last boat which was destroyed by the storm be- 
372 


THE ISLANDERS REUNITED 373 

fore it could be launched. Some time after that a 
cloud of white smoke seemed to envelop the ship, 
which was seen no more by the struggling boats, 
and was given up for lost. 

The little crew, however, managed to extinguish 
the fire by using live steam from their hoisting en- 
gine, and this no doubt, was mistaken for smoke, 
while the vessel kept on before the storm which drove 
her through a chain of reefs as by a miracle, to an 
island that hitherto had been mapped as an atoll, but 
is described as having a good harbor and is of con- 
siderable extent. Here they remained for nearly a 
year, securely imprisoned in a large bay. Among 
their cargo was electrical machinery. They found a 
fine water power and set up an electric light 
plant both for signaling and light. It was while 
practicing with a search-light that the signal was 
made that was seen by Captain Hobbs. A copy of 
the Times containing his account reached New York 
and was seen by the wife of a Mr. Purdy, an elec- 
trician who was one of the passengers on the missing 
ship. She at once deciphered the meaning of the 
flashes into the word: ‘H-E-L-P,' and that, com- 
bined with some other circumstances, resulted in 
sending the steam yacht America to make a search 
for the lost vessel. 


374 


JOE^S SIGNAL CODE 


‘‘ After a patient cruise she found them, and just in 
time, as they were in the midst of a fight and were al- 
most overwhelmed by a gang of pirates infesting these 
islands. The Katharine was towed out of her prison 
and arrived here yesterday in good order, accom- 
panied by the steam yacht America, Mr. John Lit- 
tell, owner. The U. S. Cruiser Bennington was at 
once detached from the Eastern squadron and will 
proceed tO' the island, which is now the property of 
the United States of America; and clear out the 
pirates existing in that section. As soon as possible 
a Red Cross Line steamer leaves with material for 
use of a colony that will be sent there soon from 
America. Mr. LittelFs yacht leaves here for New 
York via the Suez Canal in about a week. Among 
her passengers are Mr. Robert Purdy and his family. 
Mr. Purdy is just recovering from a terrible wound 
received in the fight with the pirates. Mr. Hender- 
son, the young mate in charge of the missing ves- 
sel, is well known in Hong Kong, having been a re- 
lief captain in the service of the Red Cross Line for 
some years past. He will remain here, taking charge 
of their Hong Kong offices. We welcome him to 
our midst, but rumor has it that he will leave us 
(temporarily, we hope) inside of a year. We wish 
him much joy. 


THE ISLANDERS REUNITED 


375 


“ It is a singular fact that this rescue was brought 
about by following out the idea of Mr. Joseph Hen- 
derson, a bright boy of fifteen, one of the lost crew. 
He had been aboard the America at Cape Town, 
where the vessels were in company for several days 
and while there he suggested the idea of communica- 
tion by search-lights at night, for which purpose Miss 
Helen Littell of the America arranged a code for 
him, and this boyish whim of his eventually led to 
their discovery and rescue.’’ 


The Northern Pacific mail steamer Victoria from 
Yokohama came to a rest at Tacoma after her long 
trip of six thousand miles, one bright morning in 
September, 1895. Among the passengers were two 
young men of about twenty-seven and a youth of 
seventeen. Their bronzed, healthy complexions 
showed that much of their life was spent in the 
open air and something in their manner unmistak- 
ably betokened the sailor. Arriving at the Hotel 
Tacoma they at once procured tickets and engaged 
sleeping accommodations for New York by the 
“ North Coast Limited,” leaving at eight o’clock 
that same evening, via the famous Northern Pacific 
Railway. 


376 


joe's signal code 


“ It begins to look like home,” said Joe, as they 
glided past the site of the famous White City, at 
Chicago, and the following evening when the Lim- 
ited Express rolled into the great depot at Jersey 
City, our travelers found awaiting them Captain 
Henderson, John Littell and Andy. There was an 
affectionate greeting from tlie sturdy old sailor, who 
shed tears of joy as he kissed his boys as he ever 
had since their baby days. 

While John Littell was shaking hands with them, 
suddenly Joe was leaped upon from behind and al- 
most overcome by Toby, who had been held aloof 
by Andy, but when the dog heard those voices, noth- 
ing could restrain him. He fairly howled for joy 
when he saw his young master. Andy had returned 
with the Katharine twO' weeks before, and had asked 
permission to go to* the depot tO' meet the returning 
wanderers. When the “Annex boat” was tied up 
near the Brooklyn Bridge, he came to say good-by to 
the party, but Captain Henderson had arranged other- 
wise; inviting him to go with them to the Heights 
to his home, which invitation the bashful Dutchman 
blushingly accepted. There was joy in that home 
this lovely September evening, but what shall we say 
of the joy that reigned in the Littell mansion a few 
hours later. 


THE ISLANDERS REUNITED 


377 


And then the telephone rang up saying that 
Poughkeepsie wanted to speak to “ 73 H/' which 
was Captain Henderson’s residence. What a glad 
welcome over that slender wire from Margie Purdy, 
and then came the manly voice of Robert Purdy 
himself, now entirely recovered in health. Oh, the 
pleasant days they promised themselves! And of 
the joyful event to transpire early next month, they 
spoke of that, too and then said good-night and 
rang off.” 

The following morning, Andy was summoned to 
the office of the Red Cross Line. In a private room 
were Captain Henderson, Harry, Frank and Joe. 
Then came Captain Duncan and John Littell and in 
a few moments more the door opened and Robert 
Purdy was among them. Maybe there were just a 
few tears moistening the bronzed cheeks of the two 
old sea captains when they saw that meeting I 
Toby was there too; in fact he was everywhere, 
but always with one eye on Joe, whom he determined 
not to lose again. It was a different meeting this 
time from that held there almost a year before. 
There was, after a while, as by mutual understand- 
ing, a silence during which Andy was called into the 
room, blushing furiously. 

Immer und evich wos maned des ? ” he said 


378 


joe's signal code 


softly to himself, as he saw the company inside, but 
he entered and stood there abashed and trembling. 
This man, who faced danger without even a thought 
as to its consequences. 

Andy ! ” said Captain Henderson, “ the Red 
Cross Line, in recognition of your services," — here 
he looked helplessly at Purdy, who simply whispered 
a single word in his dialect, putting him at ease, — 
have decided to promote you, and to this end offer 
you charge of their wharves either here or in Hong 
Kong. It is for you to choose " — he understood it 
now — “ or probably it may suit you still better " — 
another helpless look toward Purdy — “ to become 
the foreman of the Hudson Island Improvement 
Company, Limited, capital $100,000, of which you 
are hereby a stockholder" (“Du lievicha zeit wos 
maned des?") in grateful recognition of your 
faithful services to my boys," handing him an 
envelope with stock certificates to the amount of 
five thousand dollars. 

There was a moment's silence; then Robert Purdy 
laid his hand on Andy's shoulder and on his behalf 
responded to Captain Henderson. 

“ And ! " said he, “ there is still one more matter 
to be acted upon to complete this morning’s business ! 
I received a letter yesterday in regard to a matter 


THE ISLANDERS REUNITED 379 

that concerns the little crew of the Katharine. With 
your permission, gentlemen, I will read it now. 

‘‘ ‘ Bailey and Co., Jewelers. 

‘ New York, September 20, 1895. 

' Mr. Robert Purdy, 

' Dear Sirs — We have examined the pearls left 
with us and place a value on them, in the aggregate, 
of $150,000.00. We will pay you that price for 
them, if you desire to sell, or will dispose of them 
at a higher price, if it is possible to get it, at a com- 
mission of 2 per cent. 

‘ Yours respectfully, 

‘ Bailey & Co.’ 

Now, inasmuch as I have been made trustee in 
the matter and as all are here who are concerned, 
we may agree as to the acceptance of this offer.” 

It was agreed at once to sell, but Andy sat in a 
daze and could not breathe freely until he was out- 
side again, after John Littell and Captain Hender- 
son offered to take care of the faithful fellow’s in- 
terests. 


October loth came again with its usual glories. 
This time there was not a noble ship sailing away 
for the eastern seas, although by a mere coincidence 


38 o 


joe's signal code 


the Katharine was almost ready to sail on a similar 
trip. Up in the City of Churches, there was a more 
joyful occasion, where the same actors would take 
prominent parts. At just three o’clock that sunny 
afternoon, while the great organ of the Episcopal 
Church was pealing forth the Wedding March, a 
young man whom we recognize as Harry Hender- 
son, came in from the side and took his station at the 
altar and there awaited a bridal party moving up 
the main aisle. First came Frank Miller and Emily 
Williams, then Joe Henderson with a cousin of 
Helen’s; following the latter Helen Littell, leaning 
on her father’s arm. 

To the right was a body of sailors in white suits, 
the crew of the America, while ranged alongside of 
them in neat blue sailor rig was the crew of the 
Katharine, among them Andy in his boatswain’s rig. 
Robert and Margie Purdy and their daughter Fan- 
nie, Captain Duncan and Captain Jones with all their 
officers, occupied prominent positions among the 
host of guests. Silence reigned supreme while the 
vows were spoken that made Harry Henderson and 
Helen Littell man and wife. The great organ com- 
menced a bright, cheery march as the party turned 
toward the door; when there was a commotion at 
the rear of the church. A dog dashed up the aisle 


THE ISLANDERS REUNITED 38 1 

regardless of proprieties and in an instant Toby 
kissed the whole wedding party, ending up with 
Joe; looking daggers at the ushers who had at- 
tempted to keep him out. Helen leaned and patted 
him and then Mr. Toby marched out in triumph 
with his young master. 

The papers, in the description of the wedding the 
following day, stated that the bride received from 
the crew of the missing ship, and wore at the cere- 
mony, the finest necklace of pearls ever seen in this 
country. 

At eight o'clock that evening a merry party again 
congregated at the great Pennslyvania Railroad sta- 
tion to bid good-by to Harry and his bride. As the 
train moved out, Joe took his handkerchief and 
quickly waved 

whereupon Helen threw a kiss to him and then the 
train was gone. 


THE END 



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